Two National Runners-Up Put Babson Tennis on Path to Glory
For the first time in a quarter century, Babson tennis returned to national prominence, thanks to a pair of women’s players who earned national runner-up distinctions in singles and doubles.
Olivia Soffer ’25 advanced to the singles national championship match, and she teamed with Matia Cristiani ’26 to reach the doubles national title event in May in Orlando, Florida.
“I remember the first week at Babson, I told Coach (Michael) Kopelman I wanted to win individual NCAAs,” Soffer said. “He initially looked at me like I was crazy, but over time, we continuously worked toward that goal to end up where we are now.”
Soffer, who reached the quarterfinals last year, won four singles matches over three days in her march to the final—25 years after phenom David Weisman ’98 won the Division III Singles Championship in 1998, the only individual national champion in Babson history.
Soffer already is the most decorated player in program history, going 31-2 this year and earning her second consecutive Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-America honor in singles. A two-time conference player of the year, she captured the program’s first ITA New England singles championship in September and advanced to the semifinals of the ITA Cup.
“It was more exhausting to play in both draws,” Soffer said, “but all the more rewarding, too. Playing alongside Matia is an honor. She is genuinely one of my closest friends. We are polar opposites in game style, but that’s what makes playing with her so much fun.”
Soffer and Cristiani, who finished 13-1 this spring, won three straight doubles matches to reach the final, becoming the first doubles team in program history to collect ITA All-America accolades.
“Putting Babson tennis on the national map is something we have been talking about for a long time. It’s easier said than done, but the team’s success has shown that we are here to stay.”
Olivia Soffer ’25
“Advancing to the doubles national championship match was both beyond my expectations and within reach,” Cristiani said. “Playing in that match made me realize we had improved so much throughout the year and that it’s possible for us to beat anyone.
“Playing alongside Olivia is great because she makes me want to play my best. Our game styles complement each other well, and that makes playing more enjoyable.”
Cristiani is the first player in program history to be selected ITA Northeast Region Rookie of the Year after posting a 24-2 record and advancing to the second round of the NCAA singles championship. She also made it to the quarterfinals of the ITA New England Championship.
“I am so excited to see what this team will accomplish next,” Soffer said. “We want to keep breaking records and setting ambitious goals. My sister is joining the team next year, which is an honor for me. I can’t wait to share the court with her and see what she brings to the team.
“Putting Babson tennis on the national map is something we have been talking about for a long time. It’s easier said than done, but the team’s success has shown that we are here to stay.”
“Our goal next year,” Cristiani said, “should be winning the national championship.”
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