Q&A with Newburyport tennis star Caroline Schulson

Q: The high school record is 42-0. Is there pressure to stay undefeated and maintain your #1 ranking?

A: It definitely gives me work and focus for every match. Although the competition might not be the best, it is my challenge to hold this record. [The No. 1 ranking] is definitely something I’m proud of and always want to keep. Personally, I don’t really look at investments or get too caught up in it because I know that sometimes it’s just not a good thing to do. But knowing that people are going to give me their best challenges me not to hold back.

Q: How does your game feel like it has improved since last spring?

A: I’ve been working a lot more on my serve and getting after it, so a lot more net points to develop my game and use high school tennis as a way to improve that. Summer is the big time for tournaments. My sister [Ellie] and I played in ITA. It includes upcoming college players and college players who play in various tournaments around the United States. We went to Florida twice, we went to North Carolina, and one was in Boston. I played in those and the USTA matches.

Q: In November, you signed your National Letter of Intent to attend and play at Quinnipiac. What led to that decision?

A: The biggest thing was that I wanted to play Division 1, but on top of that I want to go into nursing, so my options were pretty limited because this major is tough and the tennis aspect takes time. Coach Snare [Miller], the coach at Quinnipiac, comforted me and told me I could do both and supported me in everything. I felt the best connection and vibe with him compared to other schools.

Q: This spring marks another season for your mother, Jana Schulson, coaches the Newburyports girls tennis team. What has it been like sharing your high school experience with him?

A: It’s fun that he’s a coach. I know a lot of the girls enjoy her presence because she is more of a mother figure than a coach. He’s serious at times, but it was a really fun atmosphere to be able to learn the game and grow on and off the court with him. My mom and I are like best friends, so it’s great to have her there. Sometimes we argue with each other, but that’s just because we were the same person. He doesn’t play tennis, but he follows it a lot through me and my sister.

Q: Your sister is a sophomore on the Furman women’s team. What kind of advice has he given you?

A: He told me to put everything on display because this is my last year in high school. This applies to tennis and life in general. He always tells me how big a jump it is to go from junior tennis to college tennis, so this summer will definitely be a very intense preparation. Having her help will definitely help because she knows what it takes.

Q: How does this year’s Newburyport team compare to last year’s state championship team?

A: When we won last year, a lot of girls embraced the sport even more and showed how much they care about it. Throughout the summer and leading up to this season, many of the girls put in a lot of work to improve their game and hitting. It was really cool to watch their passion for the sport and wanting to improve themselves in the off season. I think we were better than last year. We have such a good group of girls and we all get along so it’s easy to connect and work together.

With only one newcomer in the starting lineup, experience has been the recipe for success for the BC High boys team in its 4-0 start.

Second year student Chris Curran (first singles) and juniors Charlie is afraid (second single) and Ethan Holson (third single) returned to the lineup as a senior Charlie Lovin and a sophomore Ryan Burns are back to the first double. Senior Matt O’Connell and junior Sam Kessler have joined forces in second doubles.

The only new guy in the lineup is coach Sam Kessler Lance Hutchinson said. Everyone else played most of the matches last year, so most of them are quite experienced and they are very good players.

As pleased as Hutchinson has been with the Eagles’ start, he said the team expects tougher competition against St. Johns Prep, Wellesley and St. Johns Shrewsbury.

“It was a good start to the season, but it’s a small sample and we have a lot of challenging games ahead of us,” Hutchinson said. Hopefully we can improve on last year; it was attempted. I am optimistic about this group. We just have to improve every day.

Thanks to a quarterfinal loss to Lincoln-Sudbury in last years Division 1 state semifinals, Winchester’s girls team has won all of its first six games by scores of 5-0.

Junior Kaitlin Tan (first singles) and seniors Claire Lupien (third singles) brings plenty of experience, while the freshman Daryana Skobeleva has excelled in other singles. Senior Abby Wilson and junior Amy Lyon have been partners in the first doubles as a coach Greg Lowder has relied on a mix of girls to play in second doubles, including juniors Siena Pierce and Catie Kotwickiand a freshman Andrea Bilic.

We always have a special group and this year is no different, Lowder said. They are good to each other, supportive on and off the field, and they push each other as the team runs.

Lowder said his early-season focus has been building a tight bond between his players before they head off on April break.

We need every girl to care more about the team than anything else, she said. And they do. They love being part of a group.