
OWNER | CEO
AMY PAZAHANICK, PTR, PPR & GPTA

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
ANNIE FREEMAN

DIRECTOR OF JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT
NE’KO REDDICK, USPTA

DIRECTOR OF THE ADULT PROGRAM
DANERIC HAZELMAN

DIRECTOR OF JUNIOR EVENTS
JOSE GALVEZ

DIRECTOR OF TOURNAMENTS
CANDACE KEARNEY, USPTA

DIRECTOR OF PICKLEBALL
ANNE CLARKE

DIRECTOR OF BRANDING
JOA HARKLESS

DIRECTOR OF HIGH PERFORMANCE
NATHAN PASHA

HEAD PROFESSIONAL
JOE HILL, PTR

ASSISTANT HEAD PROFESSIONAL
JULIE FUSIK

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
BOBBY HOLLINS, PTR

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON, PTR

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
PEERAYA CHAROENSIRISUTTHIKUL (NING)

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
EMORY HARRIS

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
KEEGAN LEARY

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
BRENDAN FITZPATRICK

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
NORIAN MOSS

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
WIJITBANJONG PAKKARO (CREAM)

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
VINCENTE LAGOS

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
JOSE DUGO

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
OMARR HOLLINS

PICKLEBALL PROFESSIONAL
DENISE KOO

PICKLEBALL PROFESSIONAL
EMORY CLARK

PICKLEBALL PROFESSIONAL
TERESA TEW

PICKLEBALL PROFESSIONAL
DAVID EPSTEIN

PICKLEBALL PROFESSIONAL
DALE DUNCAN

OFFICE ASSISTANT
BRIANNA REYNOLDS

OFFICE ASSISTANT
GINA WOODS

OFFICE ASSISTANT
BAILEE CLICK
OWNER | CEO
AMY PAZAHANICK, PTR, PPR & GPTA
Amy is the CEO of Agape Tennis Academy, which currently manages public tennis centers in Fountain Valley, California, Oxnard, California, and Atlanta, Georgia. The organization provides programming to over 15,000 tennis and pickleball players annually. She currently manages a staff of over 90 tennis and pickleball coaches, administrative professionals, and business managers. Agape’s management style, processes, and systemized to approach allows the organization to continue to scale.
Amy is certified by the USTA in Sports Science and High-Performance Player Development. She is certified in Tennis by the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), Pickleball by the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), and platform tennis by the Professional Platform Tennis Registry (PPTR).
Amy is a coach, author, change expert and serial entrepreneur. Her personal and professional transformation systems show us how to infuse entrepreneurship with purpose, passion, and perseverance to create businesses that are bigger than the bottom line and positively impact communities.
Agape Tennis Academy at DeKalb Tennis Center was awarded Best of Decatur (2019-2023) for the fourth consecutive year in 2023, earning a spot in the Business Hall of Fame. In 2022, Amy and Agape received the City of Fountain Valley’s Kindness Award, an honor that recognizes Agape’s commitment to H.E.A.R.T.. Also in 2022, Agape Tennis Academy was selected as the Best Public Facilty by the Professional Pickleball Registry at the company’s annual conference, where Amy was also a featured speaker.
In 2021, Agape and Amy were recognized by the United States Congress, the California Legislature Assembly, and the County of Orange as one of Fountain Valley’s finest leaders, in recognition of her small business’ contributions to the U.S. economy. Most recently in Georgia in 2020 and 2021, Agape Tennis Academy received the Best of Decatur Award. This award is given to local companies in different categories that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
In 2019, Amy was honored as the PTR Georgia Member of the Year and Tennis Media Group named Agape Tennis Academy Organization of the Year. Agape Tennis Academy was selected as the GPTA’s (Georgia Professional Tennis Association) Program of the Year in 2018. In 2017, Amy was voted Tennis Director of the Year and Agape Tennis Academy was named 10 and Under Program of the Year by the GPTA. In 2016, Agape Tennis Academy was voted Community Outreach Program of the Year by the GPTA.
Amy currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia and in San Clemente, California with her two cats Zuki and Paix. She enjoys traveling, reading, business, living life to the fullest, all things outdoors, tennis, pickleball, golf, hiking, biking, surfing, and being in the ocean.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
ANNIE FREEMAN
Annie Freeman brings an interesting decades-old mix of tennis experience and hospitality to her role as Chief Operating Officer for Agape Tennis Academy. She started playing tennis at the age of seven and has continued playing ever since. Annie was the captain of her Marist School team that won the National Championship for Tennis.
After studying engineering at Marquette University, for more than 25 years she combined her work as a popular sports bar employee with managing, merchandising and systems for Serious Tennis and Berkeley Hills Country Club. In addition to her challenging work with the expanding Agape Tennis Academy, Annie and her husband also help homeowners clear their houses of clutter and organize estate sales. They now live in Lilburn with their daughter, Maddux, and 2 fur babies, Shadow and Bowie.
DIRECTOR OF JUNIOR EVENTS
JOSE GALVEZ
Jose Galvez was born in Decatur, GA and has lived in Alpharetta, GA his whole life. He was born into a Hispanic heritage through his mother, Ana, and father, Jose. He started playing tennis at three years old, and have always kept it his main sport of focus.
Once he became more advanced, he started traveling to a lot of Junior Circuit tournaments which included ITF’s, USTA National Championships, and Southerns.
Jose achieved a National Ranking of #35 in the United States when he was 18 and qualified into the Main Draw of Eddie Herr ITF Grade 1, winning 6 matches in a row to reach Round 16. Tournaments he’s played in include:
- Eddie Herr International at IMG Bollettieri
- USTA National Championships held in Kalamazoo, Michigan
- USTA Southern Championships held in Mobile, AL
- Pan American ITF Grade B1 held in Tulsa, OK
- USTA National Indoor Championships in Kansas City, MO
Jose is a student at Kennesaw State University where he was awarded a full scholarship playing Division 1 Tennis. He is enrolled in the Coles College of Business studying Business Management.
Jose has a great passion for tennis, especially when it comes to teaching junior tennis programs on a group and individual basis. He relates well to the juniors he teaches since he recently went through the process of rising through the different levels of junior programs to reach his goal of playing collegiate tennis. Jose has been with Agape Tennis Academy since 2011. He REALLY loves cheeseburgers and gladly invites anyone to enjoy one with him!
DIRECTOR OF JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT
NE’KO REDDICK, USPTA
Ne’ko is from the Bronx, New York City and graduated from Washington College with a degree in psychology. She played collegiate tennis and was the number 1 singles and doubles all 4 years and was a 3 time All-American/MVP at Washington College. After college, Ne’ko taught tennis in Atlanta and New York City to adult and junior players of all ages and abilities.
Before joining Agape Tennis Academy, Ne’ko was the Director of Junior Development at Silvia Tennis Academy in Alpharetta, Georgia. She was responsible for leading the team and the instruction for over one hundred youth ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Additionally, she directed and owned Elite Performance Tennis which focused on training competitive junior athletes. Ne’ko is also certified in Mental Toughness.
Ne’ko loves music and sharing Bible truths with people. She and her husband have a beautiful Boxer/Rottweiler mixed dog named Mason.
DIRECTOR OF THE ADULT PROGRAM
DANERIC HAZELMAN, PTR
Coach Daneric was born and raised in the Fiji Islands. As a successful junior tennis player, Daneric travelled to the United States on athletic scholarships and attended New Mexico Military Institute and Carthage College. During his undergrad he qualified for Nationals and achieved All- American honors while setting program single season records for both singles and doubles. After a decorated playing career and earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Daneric returned to be Head Coach of New Mexico Military Institute. He worked predominantly with the young men starting their college careers and trying to motivate them to use tennis as an opportunity to better themselves and to gain an education.
Daneric decided to further his own education by accepting a graduate assistant position for the women’s team at Henderson State University. After completing his masters in sports administration, Daneric pursued his coaching career at Midtown Athletic Club in Bannockburn, Illinois. At Midtown Athletic Club, he helped with the junior and adult programs teaching individual lessons, group lessons, cardio tennis and working with adult league teams. Daneric returned to Carthage College to be the Assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams at gaining a second master’s in Educational Leadership.
During the summers, Daneric worked camps at both Carthage and Bannockburn. He discovered his joy for mentorship and a drive to help young people find confidence in themselves and in their abilities. In addition to teaching tennis, Daneric was selected to represent his country on numerous occasions and was a bronze medalist at 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea. He enjoys playing rugby, fishing, music, travelling and learning about different cultures. His passion for the sport has opened doors to education, travel and personal growth. Coach Daneric believes that through tennis you can find yourself and contribute to making the world a better place. The Agape team is so happy to have him, please welcome Coach Daneric.
DIRECTOR OF PICKLEBALL
ANNE CLARKE
Coach Anne Clarke is a Miami native with a multisport high school and collegiate athlete background. She was born with a ball in her hand coming from a family of professional athletes and coaches. Coach Anne played volleyball, softball, soccer and badminton in high school while playing USTA tennis tournaments and coaching at the local youth center. She went on to play NCAA division 1 softball and tennis in Florida.
After injury derailed her college sports career, she focused on her media career. Coach Anne was a local newspaper editor, television producer and broadcaster in Florida. With her eye on marketing, she began a magazine publishing career. She has published parenting and travel magazines and now is publishing city magazines in the Atlanta market.
As the saying goes, she kept an ‘eye on the ball’ and gravitated back into sports. Since moving to Atlanta in 2003, Coach Anne played ALTA and USTA tennis; she volunteer-coached with Decatur recreation and Grady High School; served on the board of Decatur Women’s Sports League and the Women’s Outdoor Network. Most recently she has put together the Pickleball Intown Girls league. She has become an avid pickleball player and coach. Coach Anne is a certified PCI and PPR pickleball coach. She enjoys helping people of all backgrounds, ages, and ability levels on the pickleball courts. She began playing competitive pickleball tournaments herself in 2021.
DIRECTOR OF TOURNAMENTS
CANDACE KEARNEY, USPTA
Candace Kearney is one of the most experienced tournament directors in Georgia. She has been certified as referee and umpire for more than 10 years and has been certified as a tournament director for 11 years.
Candace is originally from Washington, DC and has lived in DeKalb county for over 20 years. As a Spelman graduate, she earned a BA in Sociology and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. She believes tennis is a great sport for community involvement, junior and adult recreation, development of athletes, and development of great character traits. Candace directs multiple (12 plus) sanctioned USTA JR and Adult events at different levels as well as UTR events out of DeKalb Tennis Center, giving our current Agape players and those in the surrounding community greater access to more sanctioned tournament play.
DIRECTOR OF BRANDING
JOA HARKLESS
Joa is a small town country girl with a big heart and dazzling southern Charm. She was raised in Tuskegee, Alabama and later moved to Atlanta once she graduated high school to work towards her dream of entrepreneurship. She loves to have fun and learn new things. She keeps busy with the likes of cooking, writing, business planning, and long walks in nature. Her most favorite activity being exploration of new lands.
Joa looks forward to continue to keep improving on the tennis court while working along side a great tennis academy. She hopes to travel the world spreading her branded message of Choosing your Joy over Anything! If you see Joa in the office, feel free to say hello!
DIRECTOR OF HIGH PERFORMANCE
NATHAN PASHA
Coach Nathan is a former Georgia Bulldog where he was ranked as high as 19 in the country in singles and 15 in doubles. He was an All American his junior year. Coach Nathan reached as high as 502 ATP in singles and 119 in doubles- on the professional tour. He played in the US Open 3 times in the doubles main draw, and he was a Davis Cup practice partner for the 2017 US Davis Cup team in Brisbane, Australia.
He has been to 27 different countries competing around the world and is extremely passionate to take what he learned to help the next generation become more resilient people and better tennis players.
HEAD PROFESSIONAL
JOE HILL, PTR
Joe is a PTR Certified teaching professional with over 25 years of experience. During his tennis journey, he has had the opportunity to play at a high level as a junior and young adult in various tennis tournaments throughout the country.
As a teaching professional, he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with toddlers, juniors, young adults, adults, and Olympians! He is very proud of the fact that he has been able to help juniors achieve their dreams of earning tennis scholarships. He also takes great joy in seeing his adult teams improve every season and ultimately compete in the City Championships.
He loves working with USTA, ALTA, and junior teams of all levels, bringing all of the personalities of the players on the court together for one purpose, TEAM! He has extensive experience in running cardio tennis, men’s drills, beginner ladies, tournaments, and fun socials as well.
Besides being a tennis professional, Joe is also a chef and traveler. He is an adventurous, energetic, kind, and creative person. The tennis courts are his home and coaching brings him the greatest joy of all!
ASSISTANT HEAD PROFESSIONAL
JULIE FUSIK
Julie Fusik is originally from Muskegon, Michigan which makes her a HUGE Detroit sports fan. She played Division II collegiate tennis for Ferris State University where she studied Professional Tennis Management- Marketing. Julie was voted “Athlete of the Week” for her University, she was team captain, and also team “Most Improved Player”. Coach Julie has been living in Georgia with her dog, Lilly, since December of 2016. She comes to Agape Tennis Academy after working for the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College as the Director of 10 & Under Tennis/Assistant Tournament Director. Coach Julie loves working with all tennis players of all ages and levels but specializes with youth!
Coach Julie is a certified USPTA Elite Professional and serves as the southern section chair for the “Elevate” Committee, which promotes support and networking for new tennis professionals entering the industry. Coach Julie also holds certifications as a certified racquet stringer, USTA referee, USTA sport science, and is USTA safe play approved. She also volunteers time to work with USTA wheelchair tennis.
Coach Julie brings her contagious energy, ferocious work ethic, and ability to empower those around her to the Agape Tennis family! Her coaching philosophy centers around the idea of resilience. She loves the quote, “a lion doesn’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.” As Coach Julie says, “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. You are capable of anything.”
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
BOBBY HOLLINS, PTR
Coach Bobby Hollins is a College Park, Maryland native bringing his experience to Atlanta. He was a highly ranked junior player who represented the state of Alabama in the United States Youth Games. He received a scholarship to play collegiate tennis at Alabama A&M University. He was highlighted in the “Who’s Who Among Black Collegiate Athletes”. Coach Bobby has taught all levels and ages, including summer camps, group lessons, private lessons, and teams. He coached a junior travel team that represented in the 2018 NJTL Excellence Teams Cup held at the JTCC in College Park, Maryland. Additionally, Coach Bobby coordinated with school officials and staff to organize and train students in an after- school program that gave instructions and exposure to basic tennis through the Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation (AYTEF) at Camp Creek Middle School, Union City, Georgia. He has two teenage boys who are also highly ranked juniors in the state of Georgia.
STAFF PROFESSIONAL
CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON, PTR
Coach Chris was born and raised London, England. He attended University at Hackney College in London. Coach Chris has played sports at a high level his entire life. He played semi-professional soccer as well as tennis. He has been coaching in the Atlanta area for the past seventeen years.
Coach Chris has taught tennis all over the Atlanta area and most recently with Emory University. He has vast experience coaching adult ALTA and USTA teams, adult group and private lessons, cardio tennis, high performance junior players, recreational level junior players, and private lessons to all ages and levels. He specializes in helping doubles teams with strategy, tactical movement, stroke mechanics, and creating effective partnerships. Coach Chris has led many of his doubles teams to become City Champions at multiple levels. He is certified with the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and with the USTA, Net Generation program. He is still a very active tennis player and has been a City Champion in Atlanta 8 times. Coach Chris enjoys playing tennis and chess. He also has apassion for music and dancing.
STAFF PROFESSIONAL
PEERAYA CHAROENSIRISUTTHIKUL (NING)
Originally from Thailand, Ning has been playing competitive tennis since she was nine years old. She was an award-winning junior player, ranked Top 5 of her age group in Thai’s ranking and Top 400 by the ITF. Her award-winning performance continued at the college level, including multiple AAC Conference Awards from 2018 to 2020.
Coach Ning has over a decade of coaching experience with junior players from 4-18 as well as adult beginners and league team players.
STAFF PROFESSIONAL
EMORY HARRIS
Coach Emory Harris is a PTR certified graduate from Albany State University. He has over 20 years of tennis teaching experience in the Atlanta and surrounding areas. He has coached several teams to ALTA Finals and, from that, has accumulated two ALTA championship trophies.
His teaching experience includes adult teams, private lessons, beginners, Intermediate and advance adult drills. He specializes in working with children 6 years and older, 10 and under ALTA junior teams, as well as 12 and over ALTA junior teams.
Emory has 10 years of experience working at various tennis centers such as Chastain and Bisty Grant. He had a helping hand in developing the afterschool tennis program at Sutton Middle School. Also, he has taught at Emory University with their adult continuing education program.
Three words to describe Emory are energetic, skilled, and experienced.
STAFF PROFESSIONAL
KEEGAN LEARY
Keegan Leary is a lifelong resident of Atlanta, GA, and has been an integral part of Agape Tennis Academy for more than five years. He enjoys working with tennis players of all ages through private lessons and group classes and serves as the Director of Agape’s QuickStart Summer Camp.
Keegan is currently a senior at Marist High School. He played an important role in securing consecutive state championships for his high school’s varsity tennis team in 2021 and 2022, and a runner-up title in 2023, all while excelling as a doubles player. Keegan and a group of friends also created a pickleball club at school, which has become a favorite activity among students and faculty for the past two years. During his downtime, Keegan can be found studying, playing tennis/pickleball, or spending time with family and friends.
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
BRENDAN FITZPATRICK
Coach Fitz is a tennis coach with over ten years of experience. In addition to obtaining USPTA certification, Fitz has received additional personal training accreditation through the International Sports Science Association. Fitz also plays volleyball and Pickleball soon as well. Fitz’ patient and positive coaching mentality allows him to make tennis enjoyable for anyone, regardless of goals or previous tennis experience. The ISSA has also provided him with nutrition and bodybuilding specializations, assisting him to reach his bodybuilding goals of being nationally qualified and stepping on stage 5 times over the last 18 months . Weather you are in need for technique breakdown/advice, or just having all all around good time while burning some calories, Coach Fitz is there for you along your Journey.
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
NORIAN MOSS
Norian started playing tennis at the age of 7 and got his first coaching job at 17, helping out with juniors at Sugar Creek Tennis Center. Norian competed in junior tournaments, team tennis, and even played in the junior WTT Tournament twice, hosted by Billie Jean King. Afterwards, he went on to play D1 tennis at Tennessee State University where he got his degree in Human Performance Sports Sciences with a focus in Kinesiology. During Norian’s time at TSU he would come back home every summer and continue working with kids of all ages and levels in the Atlanta area.
Once Norian graduated, he came back to Atlanta and began coaching kids and adults full time at Peachtree Corners and Sweetwater Tennis Center. He was assistant coach of an HP group at Sweetwater where they won girls 2021 USTA, 18U Team city Championship, Boys 18u Team city 2021 runner up, and Boys 18u Team City runner up 2022. Norian has had multiple adult women’s and mixed teams who have won ALTA/USTA Team tennis and consistent playoff contenders. Norian’s coaching style is high energy and active with a focus in fitness, mechanics, strategy, and mentality. Norian likes to have a lot of fun but also make sure players get the most out of their practice.
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
WIJITBANJONG PAKKARO (CREAM)
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
- Cream made top 3 in the nation age 8-16 years old
- U14 Thailand Junior Davis Cup Team Champion of Tennis in Thailand’s Youth Sports Team category
- Winner of several youth tennis tournaments between ages of 8 and 18 Team tennis runner-up in the Thai national sports competition
- Champion of the Southern States Women’s tennis tournament in 2019 and 2022
- NAIA All-American Player NAIA First Team All-Conference
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Assistant coach to youth group ages 5-12 years old in Thailand
- Assistant coach to Adult Doubles, ages 30-60 Assistant coach at William Carey University
- Hitting partner with high school tournament player
- Assistant coach at Srichaphan Tennis Academy (Thailand) for beginner, junior, and adult groups
TENNIS COACH
OMARR HOLLINS
Omarr Hollins started his tennis career in Prince George’s County, Maryland where he was introduced to tennis at a very young age under his father inside of Watkins Tennis Bubble. Bringing his experience to Atlanta, he quickly became recognized as a top junior in the USTA Leagues, through both his individual and team efforts with Agape Tennis Academy at Dekalb Tennis Center. His on-court success and experiences allowed him to become a Junior Coach for both the Agape Summer Camp and the Nike Tennis Camps at Emory University. Omarr is currently training in Agape’s High Performance Program under Coach Nathan Pasha. Coach Nathan has designated Omarr as a “Hitting Partner” to help Junior players work on “match play” techniques to build upon “on-court” tournament experiences. His level of experience ranges from assisting with Quickstart Red Ball through the Performance classes.
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
VINCENTE LAGOS
Vincente is a former professional tennis player with notable achievements in both singles and doubles. He reached the 1421 ATP ranking in singles and 988 ATP ranking in doubles during his career on tour.
After completing high school, Vincente opted to pursue higher education in the United States, enrolling in Keiser University, WPB. While there, he was recognized as the Sun Conference Player of the Year and was part of the Sun Conference Doubles Team of the Year. Vincente also earned First Team All-American honors, ITA All-American and All-Conference recognition. He claimed the ITA Doubles Regional Championship and was the singles runner-up.
Vincente was ranked No. 2 in the NAIA in singles and held a No. 8 doubles national ranking at the end of the 2018 season. He transferred to GGC to complete his degree, where he was a second NAIA All-America team selection in 2022. Vincente had an impressive record of 21-1 in singles, including an 11-0 mark in 2022, and a 17-0 doubles record, led by a 14-0 record during the 2022 season. He played a significant role in helping the 2022 and 2021 teams win the NAIA national championship and won the clinching point at the 2022 NAIA national championship tournament against Keiser University (Florida) on May 2. Vincente currently serves as a student assistant coach at GGC in addition to coaching at Agape.
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
JOSE DUGO
Meet Jose Dugo, a former 1169 ATP in doubles hailing from Córdoba, Spain. After completing his high school education, Jose spent a year on the professional tennis tour before moving to the United States to study Finance. He played four years of college tennis at Georgia Gwinnett, GA, where he made an indelible mark on the sport. He earned the distinction of being a two-time NAIA First-Team All-American in 2019 and 2021, as well as a four-time ITA All-American across the years 2020 and 2023 in both singles and doubles.
In addition to his personal accolades, Jose was a key player on four national championship teams, leading them to victory in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Notably, he held a No. 1 singles ranking in the final 2019 Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranking among NAIA players and was named NAIA Rookie of the Year in the same year. With an impressive 47-2 singles record and 42-7 doubles record, it’s no wonder that Jose ranks as the No. 6 doubles player following the 2023 season.
His outstanding performance in 2021, where he won all four doubles matches and his last 14 singles matches, is a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport. Even after graduation, Jose continued to hone his skills by working with the Rafa Nadal Academy in the US in 2021. Jose is excited to join Agape’s Dekalb and GA State – Clarkston locations and looks forward to helping players reach new heights!
PICKLEBALL COACH
EMORY CLARK
Coach Emory Clark is a two time Teacher of the Year Finalist, Health and Physical Education Teacher who enjoys people and sports. He is a teacher in the South Fulton area of Atlanta, Georgia. Coach Emory has a true passion for teaching. He has started a social club teaching lifetime sports, recreational opportunities, and traveling. His main focus is to help people network and stay active and healthy for a lifetime. Coaching pickleball is a perfect opportunity!
He is a level 1 IPTPA certified Pickleball Instructor. He enjoys coaching youth and adults of all ages and levels. In his efforts to spread the word about pickleball further, he even wrote a children’s book entitled Ava Armstrong the Pickleball Princess! The book is about a little girl who just wants to play Pickleball! Coach Emory is a perfect coach for youth, those wanting to learn the game, or those looking to improve on the skills they already have! Contact Coach Emory directly to set up private or group private lessons.
PICKLEBALL COACH
DENISE KOO
Coach Denise is a lifelong athlete and tennis enthusiast. She played varsity tennis, soccer, and track in high school, and played on the college tennis team at Harvard. She taught tennis for the local recreation department during high school and college and coached at Offense-Defense Tennis Camp while in college.
Given her love of the joy and connection that sports bring to kids’ lives, initially, after her retirement from a 25-year career at the CDC, Denise volunteered with Atlanta Flying Disc Club Juniors (ultimate frisbee), eventually becoming its Director. But after her son (the ultimate frisbee player) graduated from high school, she returned to playing her own sport, tennis. Since 2019 Denise has participated on various ALTA and USTA tennis teams.
Denise started playing pickleball in Summer 2021 and quickly grew to enjoy the rapid pace and competitiveness coupled with the accessibility of the sport. Seeing her 83-year-old father’s transition from tennis to pickleball several years prior, she knew that she wanted to introduce more people to the sport. She became PPR-certified as a coach in September 2021, and looks forward to helping you pick up this increasingly popular lifetime sport!
PICKLEBALL COACH
TERESA TEW
Teresa is a Georgia native and grew up in the little town of Pelham in south Georgia. Teresa has always loved competing in any sport that challenged her. She grew up playing golf, basketball, softball and tennis. During her preteen years, Teresa would strap her tennis racquet to her motorcycle, ride to the local high school, and climb the fence to the tennis courts (since the gate was locked for summer) just to hit balls off the backboard – that’s how determined she was to be the best when she competed! In high school, Teresa coached many of the rising tennis stars at the local club, and won 3 region titles herself. Teresa went on to play collegiate tennis, winning the National Jr. College Championship in Singles. After college, Teresa played USTA and ALTA tennis, rising to the AA1 level of competition.
After graduating from the University of Georgia, Teresa had a successful 30-year career in Accounting and Finance, while continuing to enjoy tennis. In 2021 she hung up the tennis racquet for a pickleball paddle and has been hooked ever since. She enjoys the fast pace of pickleball, while playing competitive mixed doubles and women’s doubles, in addition to all the friendships she has build in a short amount of time. Teresa has won medals of every level, from Bronze to Silver to Gold, in various tournaments including the Georgia Mountain Tournament, Atlanta Open, North Carolina Open, and the Doc Holliday Shootout. Teresa also won Gold at the 2022 Atlanta Metro Open in the 55+ division and won a Golden Ticket to Nationals. She looks forward to introducing you to the sport and helping you better your game.
PICKLEBALL COACH
DAVID EPSTEIN
Coach David Epstein grew up in the New York and Massachusetts area playing tennis and baseball his whole life. After graduating from Lehigh University with a BS in Finance, he worked on Wall Street for a few years before moving to Atlanta in 1995. He decided to change professions and started teaching tennis in 2002. His passion for community, the well being of his neighbors, and the demand for intown play space spurred his vision for Atlanta ContactPoint (ACP), a Georgia 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to engage the local community through the power of play. The community-based model is designed to support, educate, and facilitate comprehensive wellness programs that encompass sports, fitness, and nutritional education.
Besides acting as director of his non profit, David works with Freedom Park Preschool as an outdoor play specialist; runs several after school sports programs at local elementary schools; and hosts sport birthday parties on the weekends. He also ran the tennis program for a prestigious summer camp in upstate NY for 9 years.
Coach David lives in the Virginia Highland neighborhood with his partner of 18 years, Linda Green. His son Sam is in a rock band called Khaliko and his step-son Ian Green works with ACP as a tree climbing specialist.
He fell in love with Pickleball 3 years ago and you can find him on the courts almost every day drilling and playing. He is thrilled to share his knowledge of the game and will be focused on advanced lesson and clinics.
PICKLEBALL COACH
DALE DUNCAN
Coach Dale Duncan taught middle school chorus and musical theater for 30 years until his retirement in 2022. He is also a former United States National Aerobics Gymnastics Gold Medalist. After winning the championship, Dale became a sought after coach and choreographer for the sport, and he helped numerous athletes achieve their own gold medals at the US Nationals and World Aerobic Gymnastics Championships. For 10 years, Dale was an International Aerobics Gymnastics judge for the USA certified by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG), and he judged top level competitions in Europe, Asia and North America.
He is also the creator of the S-Cubed Sight Singing Program for Beginners that is used by teachers in their music classrooms to help them teach their beginning students to learn to read music in a fun and engaging way.
Dale started playing tennis competitively at age 56 during the pandemic joining ALTA and USTA teams. He started Pickleball in 2022, and became obsessed…playing 4-5 times weekly. wherever he can find it. He will complete his PPR Pickleball Coach Certification in June 2023, and will also start competing in tournaments that same month.
Dekalb Tennis Center, its coaches and the culture played a key role in helping him thrive as best he could during a dark time.
At his core, Dale is an athlete who loves competition, an artist who loves to sing and perform, and most importantly, he is a teacher and coach. He loves plants and adores his dog, Beaux and cat, Odie. Dale loves helping people achieve their goals and helping them have new experiences that bring them joy.
Coach Dale offers private lessons, small group lessons and more to help you on your Pickleball journey.
OFFICE ASSISTANT
BRIANNA REYNOLDS
Brianna was born and raised in Georgia. She is attending Gwinnett Technical College working towards a Nursing degree. Aside from school and work, she loves to cook and come up with new recipes and then go to the gym to burn off all those calories. She is a very competitive person and loves having game nights with friends and family. She is also an aspiring model and has an all natural skin care line that is set to drop in 2022.
OFFICE ASSISTANT
GINA WOODS
Gina Woods grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, playing tennis, volleyball, and basketball. She moved from Indiana to Georgia in 1989. Gina Woods has been working in healthcare for over 34 years. Currently, she is the Director of Operations at a Hematology/Oncology Practice. As the Director of Operations, she is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day operations run efficiently and effectively.
Outside of the office she loves to spend time with her daughter. Both are very athletic and competitive so her 12-year-old daughter, Isabella, tries to beat her at every sport they play. They also spend time dog sitting, playing volleyball, and social time with their friends. Gina also volunteered at the Boys and Girls clubs teaching tennis and volleyball. While attending Berean Christian Church, she coached the youth in cheerleading, basketball, and T-ball.
OFFICE ASSISTANT
BAILEE CLICK
Bailee is a recent college graduate from Texas with a degree in marketing from Kennesaw State University. During her time at Kennesaw, she was also a high jumper on the track team. Originally from southeast Texas, Bailee moved to Atlanta after her first two years of playing collegiate volleyball and track to further her track career and education. She currently holds the position of marketing director for two local Chick-Fil-A restaurants, where she spends the majority of her time. In the future, Bailee aspires to own her own retirement home, as she has a passion for helping others and a strong desire to run her own business. During her free time, Bailee enjoys reading, networking, and surrounding herself with like-minded individuals.