CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State junior men's soccer player Sergio Manesio and sophomore volleyball player Alexis Middlebrooks have been named 2016 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.

The magazine sponsors the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards to honor undergraduate students who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Jr.'s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, U.S. colleges and universities are invited to participate in this annual awards program by nominating their outstanding sports scholars.

In addition to their athletic ability and academic performance, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars demonstrate a commitment to community service and student leadership.

Manesio adds another honor to his impressive list from the 2015 season. The Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year, Manesio was also a first team all-league honoree, a second team All-Ohio pick and a member of the Horizon League All-Tournament team.

He finished the season with three goals.

Middlebrooks helped the Vikings capture the Horizon League regular season and tournament titles in 2015. She finished the year with 361 kills and a team-high 146 total blocks. Cleveland State's most efficient offensive player, Middlebrooks notched a team-best .329 hitting percentage – a mark that ranked third among Horizon League players.

Middlebrooks' 146 total blocks marked a Horizon League best for the season, while she also ranked 34th nationally in the category.