Sure, They’re competitive. They want to win. And they have the drive and the skill to do it. But when the Newman sisters are facing each other on the court, the score never wavers: It’s always love–love.
That might explain how now-senior psychology major Caroline persuaded Christin, now a junior, to transfer to the College after just one season playing at No. 2 for Virginia Tech. But now that they’re both officially Cougars – Caroline at No. 3 and Christin at No. 1 on the College’s Southern Conference championship team – they’re serving up some fierce competition.
Christin and Caroline Newman (l to r)
“I thought I was lucky to have one Newman (Caroline) commit three years ago, but now, to have two Newmans playing for our team definitely makes me the luckiest coach in America,” says tennis coach Angelo Anastopoulo, noting that the sisters’ attitudes are just as crucial to the team as their skills are. “Caroline is a true motivator and has the biggest heart on the team, and Christin is like the Energizer Bunny. The team feeds off that.
“Both Caroline and Christin have an incredible work ethic and time-management skills. They get the most out of each minute, every day,” Anastapoulo continues, pointing to the Newmans’ 4.0 GPAs in the Honors College as evidence.
“We work hard and we play hard,” shrugs Christin, “because life is all about balance.”
And what could be more balanced than a Newman sister on either side of the net?
Photos by Mike Ledford
