Take Two: Babson Tennis Champions Reflect on Winning Back-to-Back Titles
They are, quite simply, two of the most dominant athletes ever to play sports at Babson College.
For the second year in a row, Olivia Soffer ’25 and Matia Cristiani ’26 claimed the NCAA Division III national championship in women’s doubles tennis. That championship, captured late last month, capped a remarkable run for the duo at Babson. Over the last three seasons, they reached three consecutive doubles finals and compiled an overall record of 81-8.
“Olivia and Matia have achieved something that is unprecedented here at Babson and remarkably rare in sports at all levels,” says Mike Lynch, Babson’s Pamela P. and Brian M. Barefoot Associate Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Advancement. “There may never be another combination like this at the College, and no matter where their futures take them, they will forever be recognized and remembered as the Dynamic Duo of Babson women’s tennis.”
MAJOR HONOR: Olivia Soffer ’25 Named Division III Honda Award Finalist for Women’s Tennis
As a graduating senior, Soffer finishes her Babson tennis career as the College’s all-time leader in singles, doubles, and combined wins, while Cristiani currently ranks second in those categories. Together, they made a formidable pair.
“There’s no secret to their success—just years of hard work, relentless practice, and a deep understanding of each other’s game and personality,” says Emma Hall, head coach of the women’s tennis team at Babson. “They know each other’s playing style like the back of their hand—every shot, every strategy, it’s almost second nature by now. I think that familiarity showed throughout this NCAA championship run and gave them the confidence they needed to take the title home.”
In the days after the championship, Soffer and Cristiani answered questions about their years playing together and all the work that went into their back-to-back titles. “Matia and I both knew we’d been in that position before,” Soffer says, “and there was nothing stopping us from winning again.”
You closed out the season by winning 17 matches in a row. What was your mindset going into the finals?
Soffer: “I was honestly a lot less nervous than I expected to be. I only felt a little jittery during a few close points, but overall, I felt very calm, which normally isn’t the case. Matia and I spent a lot of time—not just during the tournament, but throughout the whole season—working with our coaches, Emma and Alan (Dubrovsky), on improving our mental game and managing our nerves.
“We had a clear game plan going in, and we stuck to it. A lot of scenarios were already mapped out ahead of time in the form of ‘If X happens, or if I feel X way, we will do Y.’ That really helped us stay composed and focused.”
Cristiani: “Our mindset going into the final match was simply to play our game. We knew what we needed to do to win. Having already experienced that stage before, I knew I was going to be nervous, so I focused on keeping my feet moving and staying ready for anything. One thing that really stood out to me was that we had been in this exact position twice before, whereas it was the first final for our opponents. That gave us a mental edge. We were more prepared for the moment.”
How were you able to maintain such a high level of excellence over the three seasons you played together?
Soffer: “My first thought is that Matia and I just work so well together—not only as teammates but also as friends. Not to mention our playing styles really complement each other. We know we’re at our best when we’re playing aggressively—when I’m serving well, and Matia is able to take control at the net.
“We’ve kept that identity at the center of everything we do, whether it’s during matches or while practicing and improving. And honestly, Matia is one of the hardest workers I know. I do my best to keep up with her, so I like to think that our success isn’t something that happened by chance. It’s been intentional, consistent, and built on trust and having an equal drive.”
Cristiani: “Olivia and I were able to achieve this level of success because we both know the value of hard work and teamwork. In our practices, we focus on areas where we struggle and then apply that work directly into point play. One of the best strategies we developed this year was playing as one rather than as two separate players. That shift in mindset made a huge difference in our game.”
Can you expand on why you work so well together as doubles partners?
Cristiani: “Building off my last point, playing as one has been the key to our success in doubles, especially in high-pressure matches. We always try to stay connected and grounded in the belief that we win and lose together. We’re both equally responsible. We try to win not just for ourselves, but for each other. We also try to be very conscious of our body language and energy on court because we feed off each other.”
Soffer: “Bottom line: You need to have deep respect for each other. When your partner misses a shot or has an off-day mentally, you can’t give up on them. And I know Matia would give me that same grace and support when I needed it.
“Also, it’s not just what you say. It’s how you say it, and then how the other person chooses to receive it. Matia and I are constantly giving each other feedback, as are our coaches. Every day, we both make the choice to take that feedback positively and use it to grow. I think that mindset—being open, resilient, and supportive—is just as important as tennis skills. When you have that kind of foundation, any doubles pairing can accomplish a lot.”
Cristiani: “That’s one of the biggest reasons we work so well together, our ability to be honest with each other without taking things personally. If one of us is being too negative or needs to reset, we’re not afraid to call it out, and we respect that feedback.
“Playing alongside Olivia has been one of my favorite memories and experiences throughout my time here at Babson. She has made me a better tennis player because she pushes me on and off the court.”
Olivia, what’s next for you now that you’ve graduated?
Soffer: “I’ll be starting full-time at The TJX Companies this summer as an allocation analyst, and I’m excited to step into something new and challenge myself outside of tennis. Over the last four years, tennis has taught me so much, but one of the biggest takeaways is the value of being on a team and what it truly means to be a leader. I wouldn’t have accomplished anything without the incredible women I’ve played alongside at Babson. Leading them has been an honor and a privilege I’ll carry with me forever.”
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