Paladi finds purpose, growth and a second family at Lipscomb

Paladi finds purpose, growth and a second family at Lipscomb

Kim Chaudoin | 05/20/2026

When Sofiia Paladi arrived in the United States from Ukraine at age 16, she was navigating more than a new country.

There was a new language to learn, a new culture to understand and a new life to build. But through tennis, Paladi began to find her footing and eventually found her way to Lipscomb University, a place she says became much more than a college home.

"My journey to Lipscomb has been very special to me," said Paladi, who is originally from Odesa, Ukraine. "When I moved from the Ukraine, it wasn't always easy adjusting to a new place, a new language and a new life. Tennis played a big role in helping me find my path."

In May, Paladi received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in marketing, closing a chapter that she said has shaped her as a student, athlete and person of faith.

"When I came to Lipscomb, I felt like I found a place where I truly belong," she said, "a place where I could grow, be supported and become who I am today."

A member of Lipscomb's women's tennis team, Paladi said her experience as a student-athlete was one of the most meaningful parts of her college journey. The team, she said, quickly became like family.

"Being on the women's tennis team has meant everything to me," said Paladi. "This team became my second family. We went through so much together - practices, matches, travel, wins and losses - and those moments brought us really close."

While she is grateful for the accomplishments and awards that came through competition, Paladi said the relationships formed along the way are what she will remember most.

"What matters most to me are the friendships and memories I will carry with me forever," she said.

Paladi's impact on the court was significant throughout her Lipscomb career. She finished with more than 150 combined wins in singles and doubles play, including dual action and fall tournaments, and posted a 13-6 record at the No. 1 singles position during her senior spring season. A three-time All-ASUN First Team selection, Paladi also earned ASUN All-Freshman Team honors in 2023, was named ASUN Player of the Week multiple times and was recognized in 2025 as the ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a member of the ASUN All-Academic Team. She also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition and was a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, reflecting the strength of her performance both on the court and in the classroom.

Balancing the demands of NCAA-Division I athletics and academics was not always easy, Paladi said, but it was formative. The discipline required to perform on the court while also succeeding in the classroom taught her lessons that extended well beyond either setting.

"I had to learn how to manage my time, stay focused and keep going even when I felt tired," she said. "Looking back, I'm really thankful for those challenges because they made me stronger and more disciplined."

That sense of support was not limited to the tennis program. Paladi said her broader Lipscomb experience was marked by a community that cared about her growth in every area of life.

"My experience at Lipscomb has been amazing," she said. "It's such a caring and supportive community. I always felt like people here truly wanted me to succeed, not just in school or sports, but in life."

Her time at Lipscomb also shaped the way she thinks about faith. Paladi said that before coming to the university, she was not as conscious of that part of her life. Being in a Christ-centered environment encouraged her to pay closer attention to her own spiritual journey.

"Being in this environment made me think about it more and start paying more attention to that part of my life," she said. "Even though I come from an Orthodox background, being here helped me grow in my own way and become more aware of what faith means to me."

As she reflects on the past four years, Paladi is quick to credit the people who walked alongside her, including coaches, teammates, professors and family members who encouraged her through the challenges and celebrated the milestones.

"So many people have supported me along the way," she said. "I wouldn't be here without them. Their support meant everything to me."

After graduation, Paladi will move to New York, where she will work as a tennis coach at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. It is a next step that allows her to continue in the sport that helped guide her path from Ukraine to Lipscomb.

"I'm excited for this opportunity and to continue growing in the sport in a new environment," she said.

For Paladi, leaving Lipscomb means carrying forward far more than a diploma. It means taking with her the lessons, relationships and personal growth that defined her college experience.

"I'm just really grateful for these past four years," said Paladi. "Lipscomb gave me so much more than a degree. It gave me friendships, growth and memories that I will always hold onto."