NEK Tennis
About
NEK Nighthawk Tennis is a competitive homeschool league open to both boys and girls in grades 6–12. Our boys’ season takes place in the fall, while our girls’ season is held in the spring. We compete with a variety of opponents, including other homeschool teams as well as local private and public schools, through matches and tournaments.
But our program is about more than just tennis.
We emphasize character development alongside athletic growth. Through regular devotions and intentional life lessons, we strive to instill values like honesty, respect, and sportsmanship in our athletes. Our mission is to offer a well-rounded experience that helps young players thrive—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
At NEK Nighthawk Tennis, we take pride in guiding student-athletes to become the best version of themselves—on and off the court.
I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8
Our Coaches
Di Holloway
Head HS & JH Tennis Coach
Diana (Di) Holloway started her love of tennis while growing up in Lindsborg, Kansas. With this Swedish community’s strong tennis heritage and amazing coaches, she was able to collect 4 State tennis titles during her high school career. She received her Math education degree at Washburn University while competing on the Lady Blue’s tennis and basketball teams. In college, she started her coaching career teaching tennis lessons at Kossover Tennis Center and coached basketball and tennis at Topeka West and Highland Park. After graduation, she taught Math and coached tennis, basketball, and track at Topeka High. Di coached JH girls’ homeschool basketball for 12 years starting in 2009. In 2017 she helped start a homeschool tennis clinic and coached the inaugural NEK Girls’ Tennis team in 2021. Since 2007 she has run her church’s weeklong tennis camp in the summers. Di and her husband, Dan, have been blessed to homeschool and coach all six of their children.
Matt Mercer
HS Girls Assistant Coach
Kenny Blair
JH Boys Assistant Coach
Mark Kohls
JH Boys Assistant Coach