Caroline & Matt Carlson reunited at Holy Cross

Growing up on the courts, senior Caroline Carlson and sophomore Matt Carlson found their love for the game of tennis at an early age. Their father played the game through college, and he brought the sport into their world as well. With a court right by their home, Caroline recalls some late night matches with her father when she couldn’t sleep, starting her love for tennis. Both Caroline and Matt explained how their dad introduced them to tennis and taught them how to play, leading to a lifelong appreciation for the sport and a special bond with their father.

The siblings took slightly different paths on their journey to the collegiate level. Heading into her freshman year at Holy Cross in the fall of 2021, Caroline reached out to the coaching staff to discuss walking on to the team. After a successful tryout, she became a part of the Crusader program, where she has been a key contributor for four years.

“I'm really thankful for the opportunity to play at Holy Cross, because I can't imagine my life without tennis,” Caroline said. “It wasn't something that I needed to do, but I'm very thankful I am doing it.”

Matt’s journey to Worcester was not the same. He initially attended Binghamton University coming out of high school, and played for the Bearcats during his freshman year. But after one season, he decided to transfer to Holy Cross, and has had a positive experience during his brief time with the program. Matt has posted a 2-2 record in singles and a 2-2 mark in doubles so far in his sophomore year.

“The guys are great on the team,” Matt said, “I really like the coaches, who care a lot about us as players and people.”

As Caroline moves through her senior year, she has taken on a new role within the program. Prior to the start of the season, she was given a leadership position as one of the team’s captains. She relishes this new role, as she has seen the team grow closer than ever over the past few years with a mix of consistency amongst coaches and leadership on the team.

“We finally have a stable environment, so we are able to put everything in and give it our all,” Caroline said, “Coach Walulak is shaping the team to be closer and more committed. So for the team, I think it's only up from where we are now.”

Her past few years at Holy Cross, alongside her extensive history with the sport, have allowed Caroline to become a strong leader for the team. She expressed how much this team has meant to her over the past few years and that her teammates have become so much more to her.

This fall, the Carlsons are at the same school together for the first time since middle school. Matt expressed that it has been fun and beneficial to have a familiar face at a new school, and that they have become even closer playing in the same tennis program. As the two have always been connected through tennis, they are now spending the 2024-2025 season playing together before Caroline graduates from Holy Cross in the spring.

“When I think of tennis, I think of my dad but I also think of Matt,” Caroline said. “He's one of the main reasons I’ve kept playing tennis. We've never been part of the same team before. So getting to play with him again and having that team aspect is something new that I really like.”

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