ITA Release

BABSON PARK, Mass.—Babson College sophomore Matia Cristiani (San Salvador, El Salvador) was selected as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III Player to Watch Award winner on Tuesday afternoon. 

Cristiani is the first player in program history to be selected as the winner of both the national and regional ITA Player to Watch Award, which goes to a player who has an outstanding season and is expected to perform at a high level throughout the remainder of his or her career. 

Cristiani, who was selected to compete in the NCAA Division III Singles and Doubles Championships for the second year in a row, has put together a remarkable season that includes a 26-1 record in singles and a 28-2 mark in doubles alongside junior Olivia Soffer (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). She followed up her singles title at the ITA New England Champions by reaching the semifinals of the ITA Cup back in October, and then went a perfect 15-0 in dual matches this spring. 

Cristiani also teamed with Soffer to capture the Beavers' first doubles title at the ITA New England Championships back in September and also reached the championship match at the ITA Cup. The pair has been nearly unbeatable this spring going 14-1 at number one doubles. 

"There is no one more deserving for this award than Matia," said first-year head coach Emma Davis. "She is one of the hardest workers I know and continues to get better each and every practice. She pushes herself on and off the court and I am so happy that her all of her hard work is paying off. She has been absolutely perfect in singles play this season, and her doubles alongside Olivia has been incredible to watch. 

"More important than her tennis accolades, Matia is a joy to coach and I know all of her teammates look up to her. She is an incredible role model for so many and I can't wait to see what she achieves this year and years to come."  

A 2023 All-America selection in both singles and doubles and a two-time All-New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) first-team choice in singles and doubles, Cristiani has already set a new single-season mark with her 54 combined victories this season. Her 102 combined wins over the last two seasons are also tied for sixth place on Babson's career list. 

Cristiani, who is ranked second in Division III singles and doubles along with Soffer by the ITA, will begin play the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships on May 25 in St. Louis, Mo.