Emily Ackerman (Mast) is set for her fourth year at the helm of Grace's women's tennis team in 2025.
In her first season guiding Grace, she led the Lancers to their third-most wins in a single season (13). She also coached an NAIA Second Team All-American in 2024 (just the second All-American in team history, joining Emily for that honor).
Ackerman is no stranger to the program. She played for three years at Grace, ending her career as one of the most decorated players in team history.
She was a three-time All-Crossroads League performer and earned NCCAA All-American status, becoming the first All-American in team history.
She graduated with a number of mentions at the top of Grace’s record books, including: No. 3 all-time in singles’ winning percentage (36-12), No. 1 in career doubles’ winning percentage (38-10) and No. 2 in overall winning percentage (74-22).
“I am deeply humbled to be the next coach of Grace women’s tennis. I truly love this program, and I’m thrilled to invest back into a program that invested so much in me,” Ackerman said. “I’m eager to watch the Lord use our team to make His glory known.”
Ackerman took the reins from Marcus Moore, who stepped down as coach after leading the team to its best five-year stretch in program history -- three of which came while Ackerman starred as Grace's No. 1.
Ackerman was an assistant coach under Moore in the fall of 2021 and stepped in as the interim coach during the spring semester. She also served as the head girls' tennis coach at Tippecanoe Valley High School.
“We are excited to have Emily lead the women’s tennis program at Grace. Having been an athlete and assistant coach here, she has a deep understanding of the mission and culture of Grace,” said Grace’s Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe. “She has a tremendous knowledge of tennis and the recruiting landscape in Indiana, which will serve her well in this new role. We are looking forward to her impact both on and off the court as she leads!”
Ackerman and her husband Hunter welcomed their first child, Rory, in 2023.
