On the Baseline stood senior Olivia Carafa under the gray autumn skies. She had just lost a close match that tested a player’s skill and their composure. For a moment, the disappointment showed on her face. Then she took a deep breath, smiled, and turned to her teammates. “Thanks, guys, for supporting me,” she said before walking off the court. That brief moment captured exactly who Olivia is: composed, grateful, and resilient. “I’ve seen her play singles matches where she really has a good fight in her,” said Coach Darren Hess, who worked with Olivia during her JV season. “She’s serious but lighthearted, and she always finds a way to stay positive.”
Before picking up a racket full-time, Olivia spent two seasons playing volleyball, a sport that sharpened her fast reactions and ability to work with others. But by the end of her second year, things felt off. “The real reason I switched was because I wasn’t going to make varsity volleyball,” she said with a laugh. “I was already taking tennis lessons when volleyball season ended, and I found something I was better at.”
Olivia stood out because of how hard she pushed herself, despite being on JV for just a short while. She began taking private lessons, practicing outside of the season, and encouraging her friends to do the same. After she started training with a local coach, several other players followed her lead. Coach Hess pointed out that her growth from junior year to senior year was serious and clear. “She keeps her focus sharp, never losing track. She handles every small thing carefully without letting errors pile up,” he mentioned. Moving up to varsity this season, she landed third in singles while earning captain status. “People look up to Liv,” Hess remarked. “She is upbeat, welcoming, and I have never witnessed her dismissing anyone.”
Among her teammates, Olivia is known as the “mom” of the group. She is the one who checks in when someone is upset, offers advice after a tough loss, and keeps the energy positive during long practices. Her younger sister and teammate, Claire Carafa, says that Olivia’s leadership completely changed the tone of the team. “She’s very comforting and kind to all the players,” Claire said. “She makes everyone feel included. Having her as captain has been really good because she knows everyone and puts effort into making the team better.”
Olivia sees being captain as leading by example. “Being captain means setting an example for the underclassmen and showing how you should act and treat the rest of the team,” she said. “There can be a lot of drama sometimes, but keeping a positive attitude is so important.” She’s also learned how to support others when things don’t go their way. “It depends on the person,” she said. “Some people don’t want to talk right after a match. The most general thing I do is ask them what they did well and point out the positives.”
On the court, Olivia’s playing style is fierce but thoughtful. She admits she prefers doubles to singles by a lot. “Doubles a million times,” she said immediately. “I hated singles so much. I’d get in my head out there and there’d be nobody to lift me up when I was down. If I make a mistake, it’s on me, and I felt lonely. In doubles, I can share the load.”
Despite her preference for doubles, she handled the challenges of singles play with grace. She’s learned to stay composed and take matches one point at a time. Still, she laughs about how she handles nerves. “I’m so bad at calming myself down,” she admitted. “If I’m really trying, I’ll take three deep breaths and think of one thing I’m doing well, but it usually doesn’t work.”
As for the future, Olivia doesn’t plan to play competitively in college, but tennis will always be part of her life. “Definitely not playing in college, but recreationally I will play for the rest of my life,” she said.
Starting as a girl chasing her passion after leaving volleyball behind, Olivia Carafa evolved into a leader who guides through quiet confidence instead of loud commands. On the court, she plays sharp and focused, but carries herself with warmth others lean on. Her calm, competitive spirit, and unwavering kindness have made her the core of Pennridge tennis.
