Yuliya Orkis has forever etched her name in the annals of Brooklyn College Athletics as the first BC student-athlete to earn the distinction of City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) Scholar-Athlete of the Year since its inception.

"It feels amazing," said Orkis on the honor of being the 2014-2015 CUNYAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. "I never thought that I would win this award because I know how many hard working student-athletes are out there. It makes me look back on the last four years and feel very proud of all of the time I have put in. To be honored with such a title gives me even more drive and determination to be as hard working in my professional career as I head out into the world. I am thrilled and honored to be the first Brooklyn College student to receive such a prestigious award and proud to be able to represent my school and my department in such a way. To know that I will go down in Brooklyn College history for this is something I will be able to take with me everywhere I go. It makes me so proud to be a Brooklyn College Student, Athlete and Theatre artist."

Orkis, a four-year member (three-year captain) of the Brooklyn College Women's Tennis team, dominated both on and off the court. This season, she finished her sweep of CUNYAC'S top tennis honor with four consecutive Player of the Year honors, making her just the second player in conference history to four-peat as the Player of the Year. In the classroom and on the stage, Orkis boasted a near flawless 3.929 GPA as a Theater – Acting major.

"Julie had an especially difficult task during her four years on the team to balance out school, work, and tennis, but did a tremendous job doing so," said Head Coach Ahmad Odetalla. 

As the top singles player in the conference during her four-year reign, Orkis put together an incredible 43-1 record in singles play - including an unblemished 21-0 mark in the CUNYAC, to go along with a 34-3 record in doubles play (17-2 in the CUNYAC). Additionally, she played an instrumental role in helping to lead the Bulldogs to two CUNYAC runner-up finishes (2011 and 2013) in her time at BC.

"In her capacity as captain of the tennis team since her sophomore year, Julie has served as a great mentor to those younger or more experienced than her, and has a calming effect on the rest of the team, including her coaches," said Coach Odetalla.  "On the other hand, she knows when it is necessary for her to take charge and get on her teammates, knowing that it is in everyone's best interests to set high expectations."

Orkis would reach those high expectations during her junior season at the 2013 USTA/ITA Division III Women's Northeast Regional Championships, held at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY from September 28th-30th, where she won her first four matches to reach the semifinal round, before eventually being handed her first and only career loss. As the number #12 seed in the tournament, Orkis defeated Ramapo College's Carly Agrifolio (6-1, 6-0), Skidmore College's Robyn Baird (6-3, 6-1), New York University's Ashley Masanto, the #8 seed, ( 6-1, 6-2) and SUNY Geneseo's Mare Santos, the #13 seed, (6-1, 6-0); before falling to the #1 overall seed, Ithaca College's Cristina Nunez (6-3, 6-4) in the semifinals.

"Sixty-four of the best tennis players in our region competed here this weekend and for Julie to finish in the top four, I couldn't be more proud," said Coach Odetalla at the time. "She carried herself with class the entire time and although I'm sure she was disappointed in how it ended, she never showed it. Julie is a very special player for us and I'm so glad that other schools got a chance to see that as well."

As a freshman in 2011, Orkis showed just how special she would be, setting the tone for her four-year span as the top player in the CUNYAC, leading Brooklyn to a 6-3 win over Hunter College (10/6/11), ending the Hawks' 103-match winning streak against CUNYAC teams.  The streak had dated back to the 2000 season and included 82 consecutive regular season wins.

As one of three student-athletes in conference history to earn CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month honors on three occasions, Orkis truly defines the term "student-athlete", balancing the rigors of participating in college athletics, along with her demanding coursework as a B.F.A. student that has seen Orkis perform in numerous productions that include the following:

• The Winged Man (playing the role of Wanda; Spring 2013)
• Becky Shaw (playing the role of Suzanna Slater; Fall 2013)
• The Passion of Hermione ~ Shakespeare's Winter's Tale One-Act (playing the role of Paulina; Spring 2014)
• Big Love (member of the Bride Ensemble; Fall 2014)
• Almost, Maine (playing the roles of Ginette, Glory, Villian, Gayle and Hope; Fall 2014)
• Asleep at the Wheel (playing the role of Female Executive; Spring 2015)

"I have had the privilege of attending a number of Julie's shows on campus, and it is clear that she has a bright future in acting ahead of her," said Coach Odetalla.  "She dreams of not only performing on Broadway one day, but all over the world, a dream that I have no doubt will come to fruition for her."

"Balancing the many things in one's life is very difficult, but I think the one thing that has always helped me is noticing where I am in the current moment," said Orkis. "My surrounding environment reminds me where I am, what I am doing there and where my focus must go. If I am in the rehearsal room, I must focus on rehearsing. When I am on the court, I am focusing on the match or practice at hand. I try not to let my other worries and responsibilities get into my head when I am not physically able to take care of those other responsibilities. The present moment is the most important time for anyone."