LA MIRADA, Calif. --- As part of the COVID-19 closures, Biola Athletics had to cancel its 2020 EDDIES awards and year-end student-athlete banquet. Since we were unable to announce our awards and celebrate student-athletes at the banquet, we will take the next week to do so online and over social media.

We continue the process today by announcing the WINNER of the 2019-20 Male Newcomer of the Year award. This award is meant to honor the best of the first-year Eagles. The list includes both freshmen and transfers. 

The 2019-20 winner of the Biola male Newcomer of the Year award is Alexei Prokopchuk from Biola Men's Tennis. Prokopchuk is the second member of Biola Men's Tennis to win an EDDIE award. His teammate Derek James took home the inaugural Male Newcomer of the Year award in 2017.

Sophomore Alexei Prokopchuk found immediate success in his first season with Biola Tennis as he stepped into the No. 1 singles position for the Eagles. Prokopchuk finished the year as the No. 6-ranked singles player in the NCAA Division II west region after going 9-1 with six straight-set victories. 

His only loss came against Yassine Smiej, the top player on an Azusa Pacific squad that was top-10 in NCAA Division II at the time. 

Prokopchuk excelled in doubles as part of the No. 2 pairing in the region. Before the spring season was canceled, he and teammate Edwyn Ramos were 6-1 together while playing the top doubles flight. 

He helped the Eagles to a 7-4 record in 2020 before the halt. 

One major highlight of his season came when the Eagles faced off against Point Loma and UC San Diego on the road in back-to-back days. First, Prokopchuk and doubles partner Ramos won their break to clinch the doubles point against Point Loma, and then Prokopchuk rode a dominant third set against the Sea Lions' No. 1 to seal the Eagles' first victory. It was Biola's first win against the Sea Lions since Biola Men's Tennis was brought back in 2007. 

The next day, Prokopchuk provided some of the only bright spots in an Eagles loss against powerhouse UCSD, winning his doubles and singles matches to give his team a fighting chance.

Past Male Newcomer of the Year Award Winners:
Derek James (2017)
Isaiah Jones (2018)
Alexei Prokopchuk (2020)
Alex Wright (2019)

Head on over to our @BiolaAthletics Instagram account to leave some love for Alexei.

On Wednesday, we plan to announce the 2020 recipient of the Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award.

Mon. April 20 - Finalists Announced - Female Newcomer of the Year - Grace Catena, Kellynn Hayes, Stephanie Lee, Liza Parahnevich & Raegan Tjepkema
Tue. April 21 - Finalists Announced - Male Newcomer of the Year - Jack Kilgallon, Alexei Prokopchuk, Chris Rossow, Ben Smith & Patrick Waggoner
Wed. April 22 - Finalists Announced - Female Student-Athlete of the Year - Madyson Brown, Colbeyshae Emery, Mackenna Mason, Jennifer Morinishi & Sami Penor
Thur. April 23 - Finalists Announced - Male Student-Athlete of the Year - Michael Bagatourian, Larson Kindreich, Jake Munivez, Gabe Plendcio & Gabe Weber
Fri. April 24 - Winners Announced - Dr. Dave Holmquist Career Achievement Awards - Madyson Brown, Gabe Plendcio
Mon. April 27 - Winner Announced - Female Newcomer of the Year - Kellynn Hayes
Tue. April 28 - Winner Announced - Male Newcomer of the Year - Alexei Prokopchuk
Wed. April 29 - Winner Announced - Female Student-Athlete of the Year
Thur. April 30 - Winner Announced - Male Student-Athlete of the Year
Fri. May 1 - Winner Announced - Team Community Service Award