Illiana Christian's Adam Bergsma has been playing the drums since the fifth grade, right around the same time he began playing tennis competitively. It's the timing, precision and, of course, practice in the band room that translates onto the tennis court as well.
Bergsma is the Vikings' No. 1 singles player, and the senior standout also plays the drum set in the jazz band and pep band, as well as percussion in the regular band.
"When I was younger, I practiced (the drums) more often, couple times a week in addition to school," said Bergsma, who carries a 3.79 GPA in the classroom.
He still bangs on the drums each school day in band, while finding time to hit the hard courts near his home in Highland.
"When I'm not working, I hit the courts with my dad or my brother," Bergsma said.
Illiana Christian coach Rob Lagerway said Bergsma has worked his way up to the No. 1 spot after playing No. 3 on the varsity as a sophomore and No. 2 as a junior.
"He's been exclusively a singles player," Lagerway said.
Bergsma said his father, Randy, has been the most instrumental in developing his tennis game.
"He played tennis in high school and college," he said. "He's the one that got us kids in it. He's taught us his form."
Randy Bergsma played at Trinity College in Illinois and passed his love for the game onto his four sons.
Adam still plays tennis with his father and one of his older brothers, Josh, when he is home on a break from Calvin College in Michigan, or his younger brother, Joel, who is in grade school.
Lagerway said Bergsma has developed a good ground stroke.
"He's not going to overpower you, but he gets to everything," he said. "He's a smart player and knows how to place it."
Just like hitting the right percussion or drum instrument, Bergsma arches the tennis ball behind him and hits it almost perfectly.
"My serve is the best part of how I play for sure," he said. "I throw the ball behind me to get a curve or slice on it. When it hits the ground, it curves left -- to the opponent's right."
Bergmas knows he's going to need that precision, playing at No. 1 singles.
"Obviously, it's a lot harder now than No. 3, as I'm playing, better opponents," he said.
Upon graduation, Bergsma will join Josh at Calvin College, study business and probably continue banging on the drums in band. Right now, he's content on playing some more tennis for the Vikings.
"I'm just hanging with my friends and having fun," he said. "When you win, it helps out. It makes it even more fun."
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