UNCW's Tayler Vitola Chosen As 2023-24 CAA Female Scholar-Athlete Of The Year
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (April 3, 2024) – UNCW senior softball player
Tayler Vitola has been chosen as the 2023-24 CAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year presented by Primis following a vote of the conference’s Academic Affairs Committee.
Vitola has excelled academically at UNCW, compiling a 3.835 grade point average while majoring in Biology with a minor in Environmental Sciences. She has been a member of the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll and the UNCW Dean’s List during all seven semesters. Vitola is a member of the Honors College at UNCW and will graduate with honors in the Spring of 2024.
As part of her major, she interned with the Environmental Alliance last summer. Vitola wrote case studies and participated in sampling, drilling and marking land identified as not functional due to pollution from heavy industrial use with the intent to help remediate the sites to benefit the area they are discovered in. She has also volunteered with the Cape Fear River Watch, helping clean up polluted areas. Vitola has developed a passion for environmental justice issues and is planning to apply to law school upon completion of her degree at UNCW.
On the field, Vitola has started every game of her career as infielder for the Seahawks. She earned All-CAA second team honors in 2023 after making the All-Rookie team in 2021 and is a two-time NFCA All-Region selection. Vitola helped UNCW capture its first CAA Softball Championship in 2022 and earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament. She ranks among the Seahawks’ career top 10 in batting average, hit, runs scored and stolen bases.
In addition to her academic and athletic exploits, Vitola has volunteered with the Cape Fear Optimist Club running softball camps for youth, helping unload Christmas trees and assisting with an annual car show. She has also been involved with cleanup projects at Wrightsville Beach.
In honor of her accomplishment, Vitola will receive a $1,000 stipend along with a crystal award.
Each of the 14 nominees for the CAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year presented by Primis will be recognized with a crystal award.
2023-24 CAA Institutional Female Scholar-Athlete Awards presented by Primis
Campbell Sanna Lundmark, Women’s Golf
Charleston Rhian Purves, Women’s Cross Country
Delaware Savannah Seemans, Volleyball
Drexel Eline DiLeva, Field Hockey
Elon Leandra Lorenz, Women’s Track & Field
Hampton Victoria Caldwell, Women’s Track & Field
Hofstra Taylor Mennella, Women’s Lacrosse
Monmouth Rachel Ludwick, Women’s Socc
North Carolina A&T Maleia Bracone, Women’s Basketball
UNCW Tayler Vitola, Softball
Northeastern Dominique Biron, Women’s Track & Field
Stony Brook Clare Levy, Women’s Lacrosse
Towson Demi Pierre, Women’s Soccer
William & Mary Jayden Moon, Field Hockey