Testimonials
"Coach Anya was my sports psychologist just as much as she was my hitting instructor. We often paused during lessons for 10+ minutes at a time just to discuss my mental approach, whether it was regarding swing mechanics or drama with one of my teammates, to make sure I played ball with a clear and confident mind. What’s that Yogi Berra quote about the game being 90% mental and the other half being physical? Anya supported me instrumentally in both areas and I always left my hitting lessons confident, focused, and reassured. And this confidence translated into more areas of my life than just softball. There is no doubt that Anya Adams played a pivotal role during my childhood as a coach, mentor, and reliable friend.
Additionally, I think Anya Adams is quite seriously the only hitting coach on the face of this planet who correctly teaches opposite-field hitting!! So many players and coaches fall in love with how far you can pull an inside pitch… but once you get to the college level, you simply will not see that pitching anymore and you must learn to hit it where it’s pitched.
There is no doubt that I was fully prepared for the college level by the time I graduated high school. But I must acknowledge how much of a different person I was at the beginning vs. end of my years of lessons with Anya. I leveraged the confidence and mechanics instilled by Anya to become the leadoff hitter and starting center fielder for a D1 Power-5 college team, and I was awarded with first team all Big-Ten conference and first team all Midwest region multiple times, and even made it onto the College Madness third team all-America roster. Not to mention I had a blast doing it. Accolades were never my specific career goal, but they surely would not have been awarded had it not been for the effect Anya had on me.
Now in my post-grad life and with a fully developed frontal lobe, I truthfully get emotional when reflecting on just how much of a positive impact Anya made on my life’s trajectory."
-Kiana Sherlund, Top 50 USA Collegiate Player of the Year Watchlist; Big-Ten Conference First Team; USA Today First Team High School All-American
“Our daughter has pursued Softball with a passion – with a desire to compete at the highest levels. We have been fortunate to have found Anya Adams to offer lessons. Having a professional trainer that’s able to serve as a role model and provide excellent training and guidance has been invaluable to our players’ development. Whether it’s the physical or mental part of the game – Anya Adams covers everything. She always brings new material and is transferring knowledge – always a positive experience and always more to learn!"
Gigi Peel, Jenny Peel's mother
"I started working with Anya Adams when I was 10. I had lessons every week throughout the year. My goal was and is to compete at the highest levels of softball. I was able to make a very competitive Vienna Stars travel team and contribute to both the offense and defense of the team. Having the continued lessons and hitting reps has made me a strong hitter and I am able to work under pressure because I have had good training."
Jenny Peel- Softball All-State Virginia Selection; former Shippensburg University (ranked #19 DII) Intercollegiate Softball Athlete
"Coach A — I just wanted to write to say thank you. All of the years and time and effort you put in has not gone unnoticed or unthanked, and I wanted to let you know that. Personally, I have really appreciated everything you have done, not only for the organization, but for our team in particular. You have taught me so much about softball, and I will always think of you when I look back on these years of my life. You will always be a strong woman role model for me because you have really made your own path in life and been successful at it. Thank you for all the amazing times I’ve spent under your teaching and everything I’ve learned — from softball basics to working on intensity. So thanks a lot Coach A, for everything."
Hannah Bauman
2010 National District Pitcher of the Year
Northern VA All-Region Selection
Former Grinnell College Softball Athlete
"For five years now, Coach A has taught me so much, not only about softball, but about life in general. I’ve learned how to perfect my swing and become an absolutely confident batter, and have been able to share my knowledge she has taught me with other teammates. I’ve also learned how to live a healthier lifestyle, including performing specific exercises and eating proper food to keep my body natural and strong. I was even able to bounce back from a labrum and rotator cuff surgery in a few short months using her advice and in-depth knowledge of rehabilitation. I would without a question recommend Anya to anyone who wanted to advance their softball skills, improve their speed and agility, expand their knowledge of the human body, or just learn how to shop healthily. Having the privilege to work with her has been truly inspiring and has changed my life to become a more confident and healthy person."
Jam Mowery
2008 Northern Virginia All-Region Selection; Former Virginia Tech Club Softball Player
"Where do I even begin? Anya Adams is not only a phenomenal coach, but a phenomenal person! I played for her at NVU-Johnson. She builds personal relationships with players that last a lifetime. She is the first person to ask how things are going and to check in with you. Our time on the field was cut short due to covid, but she was able and willing to help each player achieve their goals moving forward, even if that meant writing recommendations or reaching out to other coaches for transfers. As far as practices went, Adams showed up to each practice with a set/detailed plan, so there was no guessing on what we were doing next. Each plan consisted of multiple drills focused on skill building (whether it was glove work or hitting) and finished with essential strength training. She based our positions off of what the team needed rather than what the person's specific position was. This allowed each player the ability to reach their full potential rather than limiting themselves. She also provided knowledge on nutrition and how it affects our performance. With all of this being said, Anya Adams is a magnificent example for coaches and an even better influence for players."
Kylie Oliver- former NVU Johnson Intercollegiate Softball Athlete
"I began taking hitting lessons from Anya Adams when I was 10 years old. While my raw swing was successful at the 12U level, the mechanics she taught me allowed me become an elite hitter and eventually play in college. Hitting is my favorite part of softball and my endless work in the cage with Coach A. allows me to step up to the plate every time confident that I will get a hit.
I play Division-III softball at Bowdoin College in Maine. Because I lived so far away from the schools in the north that I was considering, my video was an integral part to how I was recruited. College coaches recognized the refinement of my swings and mechanics immediately. Because they were able to scrutinize my swing through my skills video, coaches were impressed with the solid mechanics of my swing, which I attribute to my years working with Coach A.
If I am in a hitting slump, she is able to look at one swing and tell me exactly which parts need work. Working with Coach A. every week for years allowed me to become the elite athlete that I am today.
I have mimicked the softball skills and coaching style that I observed in Coach A. as I work with younger softball players. Not only do I use skills drills that she taught me, I aim to exude the overall coaching style of professionalism and expertise that I see in Anya Adams. Any child that has the opportunity to work with her is truly lucky.
Katie Kaufman
Former Bowdoin College Intercollegiate Softball Athlete