Just prior to the COVID-19 onslaught, Principia College Men's Tennis was on course toward another dream season. Everyone embraced what lay ahead after the fall season, the team commitment to winter training, and the unprecedented startup of the traditional spring season with a tri-match in week one. Those preparations led the team to a 10-1 record overall with three challenging matches in California ahead.
On the evening of the spring break travel day with gear packed and players ready to load the bus, the season was abruptly suspended. Instead of being on a plane that night the team came together, and with great difficulty dealt with the circumstances. After attending a community announcement by the interim College President, John Williams, Coach
Rusty Jones led a spontaneous trip into town for a team banquet. The emotional night at least brought some sense of closure to what everyone finally came to grips with understanding; that it was all over. Tears were shed, sentiments were shared, proud moments were remembered, and the experience of coming together like never before left everyone in a state of equal disbelief and a full embrace of brotherhood. After spending hours each day together and moving toward a common purpose, all were left staring at the prospect of indefinitely parting to continue academic study remotely. For those seniors who left their athletic careers incomplete at Principia College, Men's Tennis honors one of its finest, team captain Gregory Sovie.
GREG SOVIE
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Greg joined Principia College Men's Tennis as a freshman in the 2016-2017 season and instantly became an important contributor. By the end of his first year as a Panther, Greg earned SLIAC Player of the Week recognition and was awarded SLIAC Newcomer of the Year. He held vital roster positions at #1, #2, and #3 singles, along with #1 doubles his entire career. During his sophomore year Greg owned the best singles record on the team, and was the only player in recent history to earn a golden set (a set won without losing a point) in conference competition. As an upperclassman, Greg's teammates voted him as a team captain, and he honored that post with great integrity, passion and leadership.
From there, his accolades continued to mount with two additional SLIAC Player of the Week awards. He was also named the male recipient of the SLIAC's highest honors, the Post Graduate Academic Achievement Scholarship Award, which requires maintaining a 3.5 GPA throughout college. Greg completed his athletic career with the 10
th best singles record in Principia history at 47-24, also finishing fourth all-time in doubles with a 48-31 career record. Because of these accomplishments and more, Principia College recognized
Greg Sovie as a recipient of the Corde B. Hanzlik Award for 2020. His award will be mounted on the Hay Field House Wall of Athletes.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the national governing body of college tennis, honored Greg as one of its top five finalists across all NCAA Division nominees for the Ann Lebedef Leadership Award, sponsored by Billy Jean King.
Greg Sovie is an ambassador for good and a natural leader at the forefront of overcoming adversity in the face of insurmountable odds. He remains an inspiration and represents a point of aspiration to everyone. Thank you, Greg, for honoring Men's Tennis and Principia College by shining your brightest light upon us all. You will be greatly missed.
