JERRY ADAMS
Head Coach
Coach Adams begins his ninth year as head coach of the Aquinas women's tennis program. During his tenure, the program has risen from a one-win season his first year to a prennial contender at the regional level. Adam's career record at Aquinas is 79-46. Over the past six years, Aquinas is 71-32. Prior to coaching at the collegiate level, Adams served as the boy's tennis coach at Lowell High School.

In his real life, Coach Adams owns a museum exhibition design firm, Media Rare. A University of Michigan anthropology graduate, Adams earned a master's degree in museum studies and the history of science from Oregon State University. Before opening his company, Adams served as a curator at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids and he still serves as the curator for Alticor Corporation. Coach Adams resides near Aquinas' campus with his wife, Amy Sherman (an Aquinas grad) and their three children, Finn(8), Rohan(6), and Edie(4).

The Saints lost two key players from last season to nursing programs, Beth Flick and Katelyn Grashorn.  Despite these losses, the squad looks forward to another successful campaign, having several new recruits joining the core of last year’s team.

Leading the team this season are senior captains Lindsey Skinner (Muskegon/Mona Shores), Karri Sandusky (Three Rivers/Three Rivers) and Sarah VanGessel (Grandville/Grandville). All three started last season in singles and doubles, Skinner earning Academic All American honors along the way, and look to incorporate the newcomers into the squad quickly and seamlessly. Skinner will take the lead in doubles play, having grown into one of the best players in the region in that role. Sandusky, coming off surgery to repair cartilage in a finger on her playing hand, will once again play an integral role in singles for the Saints. VanGessel is the glue of the team and will provide foundation for singles and doubles.

Kelly Magee (Ludington/Ludington), Kellie Herringa (Cadillac/Cadillac) and Lauren Cherluck (Sterling Heights/Sterling Heights) are our juniors this season. Magee played in the 4-5 slots last season and expects to provide strong mid lineup play this season. Herringa gained more experience last season, getting into several matches in singles and doubles. Lauren gained valuable life experience last season while on exchange in Central America.

Erin Lamers (Hudsonville/Hudsonville) was a walk-on last season and is the only sophomore on this year’s team. She played at the fringes of the lineup and is expected to move up and contribute this season. 

The Saints welcome a large freshmen class to this year’s team. Expected to contribute immediately are Alyssa Austin (Grand Haven/Grand Haven), Katie Siegel (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Northern), CeciliaVaughn (Grosse Pointe Woods/Regina), Ashley Wright (Howell/Howell) and Leslie Kruger (Grant/Grant).  Austin and Seigel were all staters, Austin in singles (junior year; sat out senior year for knee rehab) and Siegel in doubles. Siegel lost in the Division I semi-finals last season at first doubles for a state champion team. Vaughn, Wright and Kruger are expected to push the upperclassmen for playing time at the lower end of the singles and doubles lineups. All of the freshmen showed their ability this fall. Coach Adams has especially high expectations for Austin in singles and Siegel in doubles. Vaughn was the surprise of the fall, impressing with her hard work and never-say-die attitude. 

“As a coach, you never know how teams will respond year-to-year and this year will be no exception.”  Coach Adams said. “However, we have been a team that focuses on each match, one point at a time. I expect that to continue and that, by the time regional’s roll around again, with strong senior leadership and some of the newcomers stepping up, the Saints will be ready to barge through that last hurdle...reaching nationals.”

Last season created as many questions as it did answers. After having several matches cancelled due to poor weather, the Saints played well as the season wound down. After Katelyn Grashorn switched from second singles to first, the team picked up steam as they headed into regionals. Downing Marian in the semi-finals 5-2, the Saints were poised to once again take on regional power Indiana Wesleyan in the final for the third year in a row. Leading early, the Saints ran out of steam at the end, losing 5-4 for the second straight year. For the third year in a row, the team was ranked in the top 25 nationally. Additionally, as an acknowledgement of her superior doubles play, Lindsey Skinner was named an Academic All American.