After being given honorable mention in September, women’s tennis star Ilona Stoyko was given the title of Hospital for Special Surgery/ CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month for October 2011.

The sophomore from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, sports a 3.97 GPA as a chemistry major.  Stoyko attends CSI on two academic scholarships and is hoping to attend medical school when she graduates to become a doctor.

Splitting her time in No. 1 and 2 singles flight, Stoyko held a 5-1 record in October including a flawless conference record, 3-0. She earned herself two honorable mentions as CUNYAC Player of the Week this month.

When she isn’t on the court winning tennis matches, Stoyko takes a special part of a research project on campus in the chemistry department. The development is called Synthesis of Ordered Nanoporous Materials Project. Stoyko takes part in research 3-4 times a week where she is just one of two undergrad students working with the CSI professors and a handful of graduate students.

Stoyko also lends her time to Richmond University Medical Center where she volunteers in the Maternity Unit. Her tasks range from paper work and filing to making sure mothers are comfortable after giving birth.

At the end of October, Stoyko along with other CSI SAAC members hosted a Halloween Party for P.S. 44’s after-school program. “It was great to see so many kids smiling and having fun,” said Stoyko, who along with doubles teammate Alena Vedeneeva, were in charge of the mask painting station, “I loved the experience as much as the kids did and can’t wait to take part in some more events like this again.”

Stoyko was humbled upon receiving the title of CUNYAC’s Scholar-Athlete of the Month, “I’m honored and thankful just being nominated for this award.” How does she manage to get good grades, practice her tennis swing and give back? “I believe that hard work and dedication are the keys to success, and there is no limit of learning with persistence and an open mind.”

The CSI women’s tennis season has come to an end after the team fell to Brooklyn College in the CUNYAC Semifinals. Their season ended with a 7-10 overall record and 5-3 conference.