New courts, new heights for St. James Academy tennis programs

St. James became a no-cut program, giving athletes of all abilities a chance to play—all thanks to the new courts.

“Having a dedicated tennis facility has truly transformed our program,” Bomhoff said. “This past fall we had 68 girls in our program, which is the largest in school history. This would not have been possible without the space and opportunity these courts provided.

“The sense of community and pride these courts bring is something our players, families and coaches will never take for granted. They are such a beautiful addition to our campus.”

Immediate Impact

Several other upsides have come from the addition of the courts. The girls’ tennis team won multiple varsity and junior varsity tournaments and took second place at regionals, which earned the Thunder a spot at state. Two doubles teams took third and fifth place at state, which led to a tie for third place as a team.

“Having consistent, on-campus practice time played a significant role in our overall success this season, allowing our athletes to prepare with purpose, build chemistry and compete at a very high level,” Bomhoff said.

The new facility has also allowed St. James to run high school and youth tennis camps during the summer, which Bomhoff finds is both beneficial to young camp attendees and her high school players alike.

“Introducing tennis to younger players has been very exciting and meaningful for our coaches,” she said. “At the same time, our high school athletes are able to continue building and improving their skills, further strengthening our program as a whole.”

Now that 2026 has arrived, Bomhoff has high hopes for her team ahead of the season. She said she’s most looking forward to the opportunity to build upon the team’s success and momentum from last year while continuing to grow the program.

Bomhoff is also thrilled to continue fostering a competitive, fun and inclusive environment where every player feels challenged, supported and valued—all core principles of her approach to coaching.

“Passing on my love and knowledge of tennis is something I truly enjoy,” she said. “And being able to do so consistently and on our campus has been amazing.”

Learn more about Tennis Venue Services within the USTA Missouri Valley by clicking here. Check out a USTA national story about St. James’ new facility by clicking here.