Oct 23rd – The Sojourn’s Athlete of the Week, presented by Amplify Media, is Sofia Munoz, a junior from the #15-nationally ranked Indiana Wesleyan Women’s Tennis team.
Munoz is from Medellín, Colombia, and a graduate of Gimnasio Virtual San Francisco Javier.
“I’ve grown a lot every year. I came in very young,” Munoz said. “Being captain, I’ve learned a lot of things, like leadership. It’s something different every year.”
Coach James Gleghorn is in his third season as the head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams.
“She is so calm and analytical in her approach to tennis. She is rarely rattled on the court, whether playing a much lesser player or playing a former WTA pro. She knows who she is and how she wants to play,” Coach Gleghorn said. “She keeps a notebook on the court with her, and if she starts to get unnerved, she just calmly reads her notes and resets herself. She is amazing to watch going about her craft with a deftness and calm that is unrivaled.”
Coach Gleghorn sees Munoz as a once-in-a-generation player as she came to IWU as a 16-year-old freshman with English being her third language and now has grown into a leader who has a deep love for her teammates.
“Sofia is not going to yell or scream to get everyone fired up at practice, and she is not one to get into your face to challenge you. Sofia leads through her work effort, winning, and calmness when we are playing,” Coach Gleghorn said. “She is never afraid to say what needs to be said, and she always does a great job of speaking in a way that is encouraging and challenging at the same time. I have so much respect for her.”
Senior teammate and close friend Alli Schellenberg praises Munoz for fighting on the court for her team and doing it all with a smile.
“It’s amazing watching Sofia play tennis,” Schellenberg said. “The way that she carries herself on and off the court [has] a huge impact on the team.”
As a freshman, Munoz was named NAIA All-American First Team, ITA Singles All-American and All-Crossroads League Team. Sophomore season was NAIA All-American First Team, ITA Singles All-American, ITA Doubles All-American and All-Crossroads League Team. Currently in the midst of her junior season, Munoz has already been named All-Crossroads League Team.
“I don’t have pressure to win. I just do it because I enjoy playing,” Munoz said. “[But] I do put pressure on myself. I learned how to manage it and I’ve expressed it more, which has helped me.”
Coach Gleghorn only has positive things to say about Munoz and the impact she has had on the tennis program in two and a half years.
“I have had the privilege to watch her grow as a player, leader, in her faith and become an amazing woman who has unlimited opportunities in life. She is a special player who is just learning how good she is,” Coach Gleghorn said. “I know she could take a shot at the pro tour when she leaves IWU.”
Schellenberg has been a part of the IWU tennis program since Munoz joined the team and has seen growth and a blessing in friendship.
“You can tell she plays with high intensity and competitiveness,” Schellenberg said. “She is a very good friend, a good teammate, loves people well and a very humble person.”
The IWU women’s tennis team finished their fall season with the ITA cup and are back on the court in Feb for the start of their spring season.
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