JERRY HENDRICK
Head Coach
Head Coach Jerry Hendrick begins his 17th season as the men's tennis coach at Aquinas College. Coach Hendrick is a 1986 graduate of Spring Arbor University, where he was a four-year letter winner. While at Spring Arbor, Hendrick served as captain, and played first singles and doubles. Coach Hendrick received a master's degree in social work from Grand Valley State University in 1990, and has worked in the social work field ever since that time.

During his tenure at Aquinas, Coach Hendrick has been named the Wolverine-Hoosier Conference coach of the year numerous times. His teams have won nine NAIA Great Lakes Regional titles, including the last eight, and have qualified for the NAIA National Championship tournament ten times. Coach Hendrick has compiled a 277-99 dual match record against top-level competition over the course of the past sixteen seasons.

Coach Hendrick has also served as the President of the NAIA Tennis Coaches Association for the past three years, and the Chairperson of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Ranking Committee the past three seasons. Prior to arriving at Aquinas, Hendrick coached at Jackson Lumen Christi High School for two seasons, where he led both teams to the high school state championship tournament. Numerous players have compiled 100-win careers during his tenure at Aquinas, including Doug Dooley, Eric Vangessel, Scott David, Steve Greene, David Acevedo, Justin Crain, Kurt Brummel, Tom Huizing, Jason Winegar, Nate Price, Jason Walsh, Matt Garner, Jared Flick, Mike Rose, Patrick Grashorn and Patrick Bruining. Coach Hendrick resides in Grand Rapids with his wife, Beth, of 20 years and their three children: Ashley (18), Aaron (15) and Austin (11).

The Saints lost the service of two key players to graduation from last year's 24-4 squad that finished the year as the Region Eight champions and ranked #16 in the nation. These two players, Mike Rose and Patrick Grashorn, both played very important roles on the team last year, and both will be greatly missed. Despite these losses, the Saints are once again excited about the coming year, and are setting their hopes high with regard to expectations.  

The team returns senior Patrick Bruining (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven), who earned all-American honors in both his sophomore and junior years. Bruining has developed into one of the strongest baseline players ever to play under coach Hendrick, and his return-of-serve is considered to be second to none. Patrick will be looked to for leadership this year, and he is expected to rise to the challenge. Fellow senior Jason Beydoun (Detroit, MI/Detroit Catholic Central) will also look to add experience and knowledge of the game to the 2008 squad. Beydoun is expected to once again provide an anchor to the Saint's line-up, and through his consistent play and competitive determination, should continue his high standard of successful play.  

Jordan ONeill (Lansing, MI/Lansing Catholic Central) represents the team's only junior this year. O'Neil's continued improvement over the course of his first two seasons has resulted in very positive outcomes in competition. O'Neils will be expected to provide strong mid-lineup play at both singles and doubles this season, and his serve-and-volley style should once again result in more wins for the team.

 The three sophomores on this year's team include Tuan-Anh Tran (Caledonia, MI/East Kentwood), Nick Ludwig (Farmington Hills, MI/North Farmington) and Dan Doerfeld. All three of these players earned significant playing time as freshman last season, and all have spent the past year working to improve their games. Tran brings incredible speed and determination to the court, and often shows the ability to wear his opponents down by getting to every ball. Ludwin brings a court-savvy style of play that relies upon off-pace balls, and a propensity for exploiting his opponent's weaknesses. Doerfeld plays an offensive attacking style of tennis, and attempts to dictate play with his own game by hitting with pace. All three will be competing for singles and doubles spots this season, and all three will once again play an important role in determining the success of the team.  

One freshmen has joined the Saints squad this year and is expected to make immediate contributions. Freshman John Telfer (Midland, MI/Midland) comes to Aquinas after playing first singles and leading his high school team as team captain. Telfer also earned all-state recognition in division 1, and established a top 75 ranking in the USTA Midwest boys 18s. His hard work and determination to win and improve are certain to lead to a successful first season at Aquinas.  

Overall, expectations remain very high at Aquinas for another successful season of tennis. The team will once again attempt to defeat all in-state rivals, achieve a top 15 ranking, win the regional and therefore qualify for the national championship tournament, and win at least one round at the national championship event to be played in Mobile Alabama in May. Given the combination of talented youth and experienced veterans, the Saints look forward to a successful 2008.