Fall Blazer Spotlight: Bush Head Tennis Coach, Cara Holloway

 

“It’s been really fun to get the players more excited about playing,” Cara said. “It’s not just winning, or not being disappointed that our play wasn't very strong, but more so the growth mindset and willingness to learn from every match and continue to develop as tennis players.”

Cara, who grew up in Seattle playing tennis with her dad – she has vivid memories of father-daughter tournaments – has been involved in the sport in some form or another her entire life. After a successful high school tennis career at Lakeside, she played collegiately at Boston College,  and now she plays competitively throughout the Seattle area. She said when her son Parker '22 got involved with the Bush tennis program, she casually offered her help to the coaching staff. She imagined hitting balls to players during practices, or taking on a small role on the side lines. 

“The coach (at the time) said, ‘Actually, we need an assistant coach,’” Cara said with a laugh. “I thought it would be a fun, one season thing. Then I realized I really enjoyed working with the kids, so I stayed on to coach the girls in the spring, and just really loved doing it.”

Since that first season in 2018, Cara has moved into the head coaching role as the opportunity became available. She currently coaches the boys varsity team in the fall and the girls in the spring. Cara has used her past experiences and knowledge to build her own version of what a successful program looks like - one built on a strong team bond and positive, supportive culture.

“We have worked really hard to make it feel like a team experience,” Cara said. “I try to build a collaborative environment.  Players are asked to stick around to watch their teammates’ matches, so it feels like a team sport as much as possible, when tennis can be a pretty individual sport.” 

Under the leadership of Cara, both the boys and girls programs have made big strides. Thanks to her initiative, participation numbers have grown and the Blazers are able to field both varsity and  junior varsity teams which provides meaningful opportunities for player development . Since Cara took the helm of the Blazers tennis programs, she has helped seven different individuals qualify for the State Championships with two boys doubles teams bringing home the state title in the past couple of years.

Last spring, both the boys and girls programs were represented at the WIAA state tournament with the boys team capturing third place, and the girls team, led by the doubles pair of Claire F. ’25 and Sarah S. '25, finishing with an impressive fourth place. 

“I think it's really important that the kids, number one, enjoy playing tennis and learn from every match, win or lose,” Cara said. “Winning is great, but when we talk about what we want out of a match – it’s having an overall good showing, playing at a high level, stepping up, and learning something from the experience.”

Cara said the 2022 Boys Doubles partners, Cal J. '24 and Quinn C. '22 who won the 1A doubles state title as they defeated Overlake, 6-2, 6-2 are a prime example of her coaching philosophy. They had lost to the Overlake team multiple times in the regular season, but learned what they needed to improve to pull off the win when it counted most.

"Cara is passionate, dedicated, energetic, and encouraging," Cal said. "She really wants the team to succeed, and she fosters a positive environment that lifts everyone up."

Cal, this year’s captain of the boys team, has won consecutive Emerald Sound Conferences and State doubles titles, including going undefeated last spring with partner Bernie R. ’24.  

“Cal has a great attitude on the court. He wants to win, he's very competitive but it's not the only thing,” Cara said. “He wants to play, he wants to support his partner, he's a great captain and great at supporting the whole team.”

The program Cara has built over the years, is a part of a rich tennis history at Bush. The Blazers Wall of Champions in Schuchart Gym includes the numerous recent, and past tennis accomplishments, including the many championships won between the Lewis family siblings who were inducted into the Bush Athletics Hall of Fame last spring. 

Cara explained that she hopes to build upon the recent success this coming spring when both the girls and the boys top players are aiming to complete another deep postseason run.

“Competitively, our team has done really well the last few years,” Cara said. “One of my goals is to get a whole team to qualify for state in the future.” 

With Cara’s continued involvement, a goal that is not so far fetched.