When asked to give a word of advice for students who want to join Suffolk University’s women’s tennis team, Caren Urbano made it simple: show up.
“Just show up and try your best. Try to learn as much as possible from the other players and have fun,” Urbano said. “Get involved as much as you can because we only live this for four years, so try to make the most of it while you can.”
Urbano is the first player in women’s tennis to earn two All-CCC Honors as announced by the Commonwealth Coast Conference — this season in the singles second team and last season in the singles third team.
“It’s nice to have something to remember about my last season here at Suffolk,” Urbano said about the accolades.
The Suffolk senior has a special bond with tennis, as she has been playing since she was six years old. Now on the verge of graduation, Urbano is looking back on her progress in Suffolk’s women’s tennis and her expectations for the future.
Originally from Venezuela, Urbano played in Florida with a high school group for three years. The team’s effort and support were some of the factors that motivated her to play tennis in college.
“I went to one of their practices to try it out, and when I got there, everyone was so welcoming,” Urbano said. “It just felt nice to be part of a team again. I think that’s what I was looking for when I started to look into playing tennis for Suffolk.”
When asked about Suffolk’s women’s tennis, Urbano said most people don’t know there is a tennis team or feel intimidated to join.
“Everyone is just trying to support each other. The coach [Drew Goldstein] is the best guy ever and the girls are so welcoming. The team, in reality, is just a group of girls playing tennis,” Urbano said.
Urbano’s assignment as captain of the team this season marked a new chapter in her athletic journey. As the position’s weight of responsibility settled upon her shoulders, she handled it with a blend of passion and strategy.
Understanding that leadership on the court required a unique set of skills, Urbano wasted no time in inspiring and uniting her teammates.
“As a senior, I feel they need someone to guide and support them, and I feel like Angela [Gross], the co-captain, and I have done a good job integrating the team and recruiting as well,” Urbano said.
Urbano’s leadership instincts extend beyond the tennis court. She is the current president of the FinTech Women’s Club at Suffolk, showcasing her multifaceted interests and commitment to her major.
“Finance is such a wide field; it is so versatile,” Urbano said.
Even though this might be her last year playing for the Suffolk women’s tennis team, Urbano’s involvement with tennis is far from over. Urbano’s passion for the sport remains undiminished and her connection to tennis extends beyond the confines of competitive matches.
“I am going to keep practicing it on my own time. I never stop playing, even when I’m not playing for the team I just keep practicing because I like the sport,” Urbano said.
