PICTURED ABOVE (FROM L-R): Madeline Gentry, Lydia Adams and Alexandra Wachs

Wheaton, Ill. - The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced this year's conference awards in women's tennis on Tuesday morning.  Madeline Gentry and Lydia Adams each earned All-CCIW honors, and Alexandra Wachs received the CCIW RESPECT Award. Additionally, veteran head coach Jane Nelson was named the CCIW Coach of the Year. 

Nelson (PICTURED LEFT) picks up the CCIW Women's Tennis Coach of the Year award for the for the 10th time since it started in 2003, the most of any CCIW women's tennis coach in that span. She guided Wheaton to its league-best 23rd CCIW Championship in women's tennis this season as the program finished 7-1 and concluded the fall as Co-Champions with North Park and North Central. The conference title is the first for Wheaton since 2019. All of Wheaton's championships in women's tennis have come under Nelson's leadership and leads the CCIW in the sport. In fact, Wheaton's 23 titles in women's tennis is the second-highest amount among all CCIW women's sports. The Wheaton women's swimming and diving program is first all-time among CCIW women's teams with 26 CCIW Women's Swimming Championships, the Thunder women's tennis program is second with 23 CCIW Championships, the Wheaton women's soccer program is third with 22, while Illinois Wesleyan's women's golf and softball programs are tied for fourth with 18 CCIW Championships.    

Gentry, a junior, earns her third career First Team All-CCIW award in in 2024. She was 7-3 overall this fall at No. 1 singles, including a 6-2 record in CCIW play. She was 7-3 in doubles action this fall, playing with Adams at No. 1 doubles. The pair was 6-2 in CCIW matches.

Adams, a senior, earns her first career All-CCIW award with a Second Team All-CCIW honor. She posted an 8-2 this fall, playing at both No. 2 and No. 3 singles, including a 7-1 record in CCIW action. Adams was 7-3 in doubles matches this fall, including a 6-2 record in CCIW competition, playing at No. 1 doubles alongside Gentry.

Wachs was named Wheaton's honoree of the CCIW's RESPECT Award. At the conclusion of every sports season, each varsity program recognizes one student-athlete as their RESPECT Award honoree. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture. Wachs, a senior, was 5-4 this fall in singles play, competing at No. 2 singles. She was 3-2 in doubles play as she teamed with both Janet Kondo and Ella Malone.