UAlbany’s Shynelle Woroniuk Honored as CDSWOY 2026 Award Recipient

Shynelle Woroniuk, a graduate student and volleyball standout at the University at Albany, just got recognized in a big way. The Capital District Sports Women of the Year (CDSWOY) organization named her one of the three collegiate award recipients for 2026.

This award really highlights Shynelle’s achievements in academics, athletics, and community service. She’ll be honored at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on August 3 at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady.

That event always brings together the top female student-athletes from high schools and colleges across New York’s Capital District. It’s a big deal, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel inspired by the stories that come out of it.

Academic Achievements

Shynelle’s academic journey stands out. She’s poured a lot of effort into her studies and it shows in the recognition she’s received.

Presidential Scholar-Athlete

In 2025, Shynelle picked up the America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete honor. That award goes to student-athletes who really go above and beyond in academics while still making a mark in their sport.

SUNY D1 Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

She also earned the 2025 SUNY D1 Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Balancing the grind of Division 1 volleyball with rigorous coursework isn’t easy, but she managed it.

Academic All-District and All-Academic Team

Shynelle made the CSC (College Sports Communicators) Academic All-District team twice. She also landed on the America East All-Academic team two times, showing her consistency in the classroom.

Honor Rolls and Dean’s List

She’s been on the America East Academic Honor Roll four times and the conference’s Commissioner’s Honor Roll twice. The Dean’s List? She hit that milestone in eight semesters—pretty impressive if you ask me.

Graduate Achievement Award

Shynelle received the Graduate Achievement Award from the Human Resources Information System. It’s just another nod to her work ethic and determination.

Athletic Excellence

Her athletic accomplishments are just as remarkable. Shynelle’s been a force for the UAlbany volleyball team, showing skill and leadership every season.

Team Captain

She served as captain for four out of her five seasons with the team. That kind of trust from coaches and teammates doesn’t come easy.

America East First Team and All-Tournament Team

Shynelle earned America East First Team honors twice and made the America East All-Tournament Team two times as well. Those awards speak volumes about her impact on the court.

Consistent Performance

Over her career, she posted double-digit kills in three out of four seasons and started as a six-rotation player for three years. Her career stats are honestly something to brag about:

• 1,075 kills (3.25 per set)
• 585 digs (1.77 per set)
• 101 blocks
• 69 aces
• 36 assists
• 1,196 points

Community Service

Shynelle’s commitment to her community shows in everything she does. She’s jumped into a bunch of service projects, always looking for ways to make a difference.

Volunteering and Events

She’s volunteered with several organizations and pitched in at a range of events, including:

• Community Night
• To Life! (fundraiser for breast cancer)
• We Care (helping sexual assault survivors)
• Out of the Darkness Walk (for suicide prevention)
• Light the Night Walk (leukemia and lymphoma)
• The Red Bookshelf (local non-profit community literacy program)
• Mohawk Hudson Humane Society

Internship Experiences

She’s also picked up valuable experience through two internships:

• UAlbany Athletic Training
• Alps Mountain Farm (with Capital Region Small Business Development Center, where she helped secure a loan for their new business)

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

As the UAlbany volleyball Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative, Shynelle organized a bunch of community service events and fundraisers. Her leadership left a real mark on those around her.

Conclusion

Shynelle Woroniuk just got recognized by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization. That says a lot about her achievements in academics, athletics, and community service.

She’s shown dedication, hard work, and some impressive leadership. Honestly, she’s set the bar high for student-athletes at the University at Albany—and maybe even beyond.