LOS ANGELES --- CBS Los Angeles interviewed our own Alexei Prokopchuk of the men's tennis team about his experience competing and studying at Biola, while handling the pressure of war in his home country of Ukraine. 
 

.@biolau tennis' Alexei Prokopchuk is 21-3 this season. But in a sport that requires a clear mind, his often wanders to his native Dnipro in Eastern Ukraine. Tonite, @chrishayre shows us how @PresidentCorey & the school are helping

5:45p | @CBSLA
10:45p | #KCAL9@BiolaAthletics pic.twitter.com/RCgvqrAGcM

— CBSLA Sports Central (@SportsCentralLA) May 9, 2022

The interview aired on CBS 2 News on Monday evening and will rerun on CBS News KCAL Channel 9 at 10:45 p.m. Monday night.

 "When one of us mourns we all mourn together," said Biola President Dr. Barry Corey. "We are trying to walk with Alexei right now and we care deeply about him and we love him."

"There is this pressure from home that just stays with you all this time. I just hope it is going to be done soon," said Prokopchuk.  With many relatives and friends still in the war torn country, the Dnipro, Ukraine native has followed his father's wise words, "You should keep going". 

Alexei has embodied that with his play on the court, going 21-3 in singles play this season. The tennis talent helped the Eagles to their best record in program history at 18-8 and to their first postseason appearance. 

The junior nabbed his second-straight First Team All-PacWest selection in 2022, dominating in No. 2 singles, and also excelling at No. 1 doubles alongside Antonio Rosales Varona. Prokopchuk put together a pair of seven-match winning streaks this season, including a nine-match singles winning streak from February 19 through March 11.

Prokopchuk and the Eagles will compete in the NCAA DII West Region Championships on Tuesday with the opening matchup at Azusa Pacific set for 2:30 pm.