WAUKESHA, Wis. – When head coach Craig Mours describes the identity of Carroll Tennis, wins and losses are not the first things he mentions. Instead, he points to the relationships that have helped shape the program. Togetherness, toughness, family are the qualities that remain at the center of both the men's and women's programs entering the 2026-27 season, even as the two teams find themselves in different stages of development.

The women's squad returns a veteran core with championship aspirations, while the men's team looks to blend a young roster with several promising newcomers.

"We're one big family between the men's and women's programs," Mours said. "The women have a strong returning group that will help set the tone, and the men are learning what it means to be a part of that family and culture."

That culture has become one of the program's defining strengths. Over the past several years, Carroll has continued to gain respect throughout the conference while maintaining the close-knit atmosphere that players and coaches have worked hard to establish. Internally, that foundation has not changed.

For the women, a veteran group has taken ownership of continuing those traditions and setting expectations for younger players. For the men, the season presents an opportunity for new leaders to emerge and establish themselves as the next wave of contributors.

That process begins with leadership.

On the women's side, captains Kate Trifilio and Natasa Pupovac return for a second year in their leadership roles. Their experience and familiarity with the program have helped provide stability while serving as examples for younger teammates.
The men's team enters the year with fewer established veterans, creating opportunities for younger players to step into larger leadership responsibilities.

"We're going to see who emerges," Mours said. "The guys have to continue growing into those roles and proving themselves."

The women's team should also benefit from one of its deepest rosters in recent memory. Mours expects Mia Franke to take a significant step forward this season, while Megan Trifilio is poised to build upon the experience she gained during her freshman campaign. With seven highly competitive players capable of contributing throughout the lineup, the Pioneers believe depth could become one of their greatest strengths.

On the men's side, development will be key. Nate Christensen and Ullrik Gellein gained valuable experience last year and now understand the day-to-day demands of collegiate tennis. Mours expects both players to make substantial jumps while helping younger teammates adjust to the college game.

That combination of experience and depth will be especially important in the CCIW, a conference where every match can make a significant difference. One of the biggest lessons Carroll took away from last season was the importance of treating every opponent as a legitimate threat.

"You have to show up every day ready to compete," Mours said. "Anyone can beat anyone on a given day."

That mindset has influenced how the teams approach preparation, particularly when navigating the challenges that come with conference competition. Returning players understand the realities of weekday road matches, balancing classes with travel, and maintaining focus throughout a demanding schedule. Those experiences can make a meaningful difference over the course of a season.

The incoming classes also have the potential to contribute immediately. On the women's side, Madison Siminski enters the program with an opportunity to earn playing time and make an impact throughout the year. For the men, Carl Algot and Carl Vilhelm, newcomers from Sweden, are expected to step directly into the lineup as Carroll works to replace the production of several graduated seniors. Depth, however, is about more than simply filling lineup spots.

Mours knows injuries and setbacks are inevitable over the course of a season. Having players ready to step into larger roles provides valuable flexibility and creates internal competition that helps raise the level of play throughout the roster.
The same philosophy carries over into Carroll's style of play.

Mours wants both teams to continue developing a more aggressive mindset on the court. Rather than simply extending rallies or staying in points, the goal is to compete with confidence and look for opportunities to dictate play.
"Not shying away from the moment is important," Mours said. "We want to be aggressive and play to win." That mentality is particularly important because tennis is often viewed as an individual sport, even though team success ultimately depends on contributions throughout the lineup.

The women's program has embraced that concept through its leadership and experience, understanding that a single match victory does not determine the overall outcome. Mours hopes the younger men's roster will continue learning those same lessons as the season progresses. "It really is a team sport," he said. "You're playing for each other, not just yourself."

One area where that team element is especially evident is doubles play.

Mours views doubles as a critical component of match success because winning the doubles point immediately changes the complexion of a match. Securing that early advantage allows teams to play with greater freedom and reduces the number of singles victories needed to claim the overall result.

Consistency, meanwhile, remains a major point of emphasis. Mours encourages players to establish routines that help them prepare effectively while avoiding complacency. Maintaining energy, focus, and preparation throughout a long season can often be the difference between steady improvement and inconsistent results.

The season will begin with several opportunities to gauge progress. The annual CU Cup against Concordia Wisconsin provides an early test and allows the coaching staff to evaluate where both teams stand entering the year. For the women's team, an early conference showdown with North Central, the defending regular-season champion, could provide a valuable benchmark and insight into where the Pioneers fit into the conference landscape. The excitement surrounding the season extends beyond specific opponents, though.

Mours believes both teams are positioned to chase accomplishments that previous Carroll squads have not yet achieved.

"There's a chance to do some things for the first time," Mours said. "That's exciting."

While the men's and women's teams face different paths through the conference calendar, their goals share a common theme.

The women will pursue one of the conference's top positions during the fall season, when the CCIW regular-season championship is determined. The men's team, meanwhile, will continue building throughout the year before competing for conference standings during the spring campaign.

For both programs, however, the ultimate objective is the same: advancing to the conference tournament semifinals for the first time in program history. Reaching the league's final four remains a significant benchmark and would represent another major step in the continued growth of Carroll Tennis. If both teams reach their full potential, Mours believes top-four finishes within the conference are realistic goals. More importantly, he wants to see players continue embracing the values that have helped define the program.

Success is measured through support, accountability, and the willingness to invest in one another's growth. It is reflected in teammates helping each other through difficult stretches and ensuring that every player feels valued regardless of their position in the lineup. That's one of the traits Mours appreciates most about this group.

"They always try to make everybody feel included," he said. "They want people to feel like they belong."

By season's end, Mours believes that mindset will become evident to anyone who watches Carroll compete. Beyond the results, he hopes people recognize a pair of teams driven not only by talent, but by a genuine desire to succeed together.

"They're hungry," Mours said. "They want to win, and they're going to do everything they can to put themselves in position to be successful."

For a program built on family, toughness, and belief, that's exactly the foundation Carroll Tennis hopes will carry it toward its next milestone.