Coaches Wall Of Fame

Volleyball:
Three decades of experience coaching competitive girls’ volleyball at all age levels.
Former Varsity Team coach at Allentown Central Catholic HS – 2016 State Champ USAV, 2015/2016 Division Champ
USAV CAP II Coaching Certification
Former Director – Keystone Region High Performance Program
Former Club Director – Court Authority Volleyball Academy (9yrs), Push The Rock Volleyball Club (9yrs)
Previous Head Coaching – Bethlehem Catholic HS, Nazareth HS, Wm. Allen HS, Salem Christian HS, Christopher Dock Mennonite HS

Pickleball:
Eight years playing experience
Member Sun City West Pickleball Club
Founder of Monster Athlete Juniors
Completion of USA Pickleball Referee ClassroomTraining Program – July 2024

After coaching sports for 30 years and tutoring math for over 20 years, Coach Randall has used this expertise to work with youth and coach his son in Pickleball. In only the second year that Coach Randall coached his son Andre, who had no previous experience in racquet sports, was able to achieve 14U USA Pickleball National Champion wins in both Singles and Doubles. As a PRO Certified PTR Pickleball instructor Coach, Randall has been using his expertise and proven track record to coach promising players at his club in Scottsdale.

Coach Randall has learned the importance of providing a fun atmosphere, while he teaches and guides young athletes in proper technique, strategy, mindset, and physical fitness. And he also teaches them eMective tournament and partner planning. After playing in many tournaments with his son, Coach Randall uses that experience to work with parents and their children so that they can enjoy playing together and accept coaching from each other similar to what Coach Randall and his son Andre have achieved.

Randallmercado@cox.net

Chase has been in the Pickleball world for over 7 years, before it became the fastest growing sport in the US. He played on the pro tour for over a year and was a Sponsored Athlete for 5 years. As a highly accomplished player, he reached the height of his rating at 5.5. He currently runs a successful program as the Pickleball Pro and is a full time coach at Lifetime Fitness.

He realized he wanted to give back to the sport and coach. He has coached both Adults and Youth now for 3 years. Chase is a dedicated coach who is looking forward to equipping juniors to reach their full potential.

Tamara is in love with Pickleball and kids! She has been playing the for over 5 years. She enjoys sharing her passion with anyone wanting to get into the sport or improve their game. She is an Ambassador in her Anthem Community and has learned that the best thing about Pickleball is the great community it brings together. She is also a high-level tournament player herself and enjoys competing and improving her game. Partially sponsored by Gearbox, she has played in 4 National Tournaments winning 1 Gold, 3 Silver, and 1 Bronze medal in TX in 2023.

Tamara majored in Physical Education at Washburn University where she played Volleyball and Softball. Her team finished 2nd in Nationals for Softball. She also went to Independence Junior College where she played Volleyball & Basketball. She has coached volleyball at Rossville HS and Basketball at Jay Shideler Junior High School. She also has coached girls’ and boys’ volleyball at Anthem Elementary 7th & 8th grade.

Outside of Pickleball she is married to David. As a couple, they play mixed together and won silver in 2018. She and David have 4 boys. Tamara is a Senior Account Manager for Darby Dental and has been in the Dental industry for over 30 years.

Coach John is a PPR-USA Pickleball Certified Coach and has been involved with athletics for most of his life. He brings a strong knowledge of the game and a solid approach to foundational mechanics. He has trained students between the ages of 4 & 67 in a fun & exciting atmosphere. John’s goal is to continue growing with the sport while helping others gain improvements. John works as a Pro at The Pickleball Space in  Glendale and he does lessons in both public & private courts in Surprise, Peoria, and Glendale.

Russ is an AZ native. He was introduced to Pickleball in 2021 and quickly became obsessed with the sport. Growing up, Russ had the desire to play sports year round. He played Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Soccer as a kid and in High School he joined the Wrestling team. As an adult he added Golf to the list until the Pickleball addiction fully kicked in for him.

In 2022 he played in his first tournament entering in the 3.5 division and by 2024 he played in his first Pro Qualifier tournament with a local junior, Joey Nassos. He started coaching private lessons for adults and youth in 2023 and hopes to continue his coaching career as the sport grows. He is signed with CRUSH, an AZ based Pickleball products company that shares his same passion for the sport. When he is not on the courts you can find Russ at a local coffee shop doing his full-time job as a Product Owner for a local startup tech company.

Coach Powers is a passionate and experienced pickleball coach dedicated to introducing kids to the exciting world of pickleball. With a background in sports coaching and a love for teaching, Dallas creates a fun and supportive environment where kids can learn the fundamentals of the game, develop their skills, and build confidence. Whether your child is a beginner or looking to take their game to the next level, Dallas’s engaging and energetic coaching style ensures every child has a blast while leveling up!

With six years of dedicated pickleball experience, Jackson has ascended to the professional level, qualifying for the main draw at APP and PPA pro events. Over the past 2 and a half years he’s passionately shared his expertise through coaching and witnessing his students achieve success in various tournaments.

His teaching philosophy combines a commitment to skill development with an enjoyable and engaging learning environment.

Language: English
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Rating: 5.66
Started Playing: 2017

Accolades:
75+ medals at a multitude of skill levels
Qualified for pro main draw at APP events
Qualified for pro main draw at PPA events
Multiple wins over 6.0+ players
3 Round of 32 appearances on the PPA tour
7th place finish at APP Next Gen San Antonio

Owen Thomas is a 5.0 Pickleball player that has been playing for over 10 years. He has won 5 medals at Nationals Championships and played in hundreds of tournaments. Owen is 20 years old and a PPA Certified instructor that will make the game fun and improve your player’s skills quickly. Owen understands the game better than most and is excellent at instructing skills and strategies.

Hello! I’m Riley Palmer, a.k.a., Smiley Riley. I’m deeply passionate about pickleball. With over three years of coaching experience, I oversee kids’ summer camps at the renowned JW Marriott Desert Ridge, a hub for pickleball enthusiasts. My coaching journey spans large and small clinics across the United States, Mexico, and Croatia.

Beyond pickleball, I’m a proud parent to three daughters actively engaged in pickleball, soccer, and volleyball.  These are sports I’ve supported them in for years. For over 15 years, I’ve volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and Sunday school teacher, cherishing every moment.

My commitment to pickleball extends beyond coaching—I’ve competed in more than 15 national tournaments across singles, gender doubles, and mixed doubles events. My enthusiasm lies in nurturing youth programs and fostering a love for pickleball in the next generation.

Coach Pellegrino was a 4-sport, 4-year letter athlete from Paradise Valley High School. She went on to play softball and basketball on scholarship at Phoenix College. Her sports career continued as a soccer player in the Hawaiian Crown International Games for the Denver Stars, after which she became a professional golfer.

Eventually Coach Pellegrino worked as  a golf commentator and  television host in years 2011-2014 for Comcast SportsNet. Coach P has been playing and competing in Pickleball for a number of years. She is a PPR Certified Pickleball Coach.

She joins Monster Athlete as a coach for our Pickle Guild juniors team in Glendale and she also brings her professional skills to be used as our Director of  Coach Development and Fund Raising.

Coach Adam comes from a sports and athletic background. He played football, basketball, and baseball as a youth. He also played tennis and basketball in college.

Five years ago, Adam picked up a pickleball paddle and his primary sports focus began to change. He played is his first senior pro event after playing for only 6 months. He has grown to love the sport of pickleball and the its community.

Adam has now won over 40 tournaments in the 4.0 – 5.0 range. He has also achieved silver and bronze medal finishes in a variety of other tournaments. Coach Adam admits that he gains as much satisfaction out of coaching and helping other athletes to improve as he does winning a gold medal in a tournament.

Currently, Coach Adam is the Head Coach for pickleball at the Arizona Athletic Grounds. He has been coaching and teaching pickleball for the past 3 years. He has taught clinics, private lessons, youth leagues, and adult groups. As a coach and teacher Adam says that he looks for specific ways to help clients based on his observations on the court, seeking to always help them improve their technique and skills,  and raise their pickleball IQ.

With over a decade of experience as a yoga instructor, including teaching Kids Yoga, Coach Adrian brings mindfulness, focus, and energy to the pickleball court. A passionate coach, she is deeply committed to helping players of all levels develop their skills while cultivating a love for the sport.

Coach Adrian currently coaches at Marriott Tempe Buttes and The Picklr – Tempe, and is an active competitor in pickleball tournaments nearly every weekend, staying connected to the vibrant pickleball community. Her dynamic presence on the court, both as a coach and player, inspires growth and enthusiasm in those around her.

As a proud ambassador for Proton and The Picklr, Adrian is dedicated to spreading the joy of pickleball and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment for all players.

Coach Raff is an East Tennessee native, where he grew up idolizing the likes of Davy Crockett, Pat Conroy, and Steve Prefontaine. Relying strictly on a swift pair of getaway sticks, a subtle sense of sarcasm,  and a solid hand of redeeming qualities—he spent most of his youth in detention, on podiums, and cataloging a list, by trial & error, of animals his parents did not want inside the house. A codicil to his research citing is a list of species that his parents wanted “Nowhere near the how…just get it out!” — is in the works, by popular demand. Though, doubtful by his parents.

In 2004, Coach Raff enrolled at the University of Tennessee as a 3-sport Student-Athlete. In 2007 he wandered off to Maine by himself and hiked 2,174 miles south to Georgia on the Appalachian Trail. And in 2009 he graduated with his degree in Rhetoric & Writing just weeks before joining the US Navy.

Post-Navy, Coach Raft has settled down in Mesa, AZ with his wife and 7-year-old son, Kara & Easton. For most of the last decade Coach Raff has worked as a Commercial Diver, conducting inspections/repairs on underwater structures, a freelance writer for online Military & History publications, or as a carpenter in varying capacities. However, he has since stitched up his gills and hung up the hammer to focus on running Pickleballl Plug., a burgeoning mobile pickleball court rental  & setups business that he owns and operates with his good friend and quick-reputing  MMA fighter (LHW, rank #9), Sullivan Cauley.

Coach Cobbin has passion for bringing youth development to the court. With over 7 years of experience coaching youth sports, he fosters a positive and engaging environment where young players can build skills, confidence, and a love for the game. Coach Cobbin’s  approach emphasizes teamwork, communication, and individual growth, ensuring that every child feels valued and supported.

Coach Gideon has had a passion for pickleball that began in 2018 when he first learned the game from his dad and quickly fell in love with the sport. His journey in racquet sports extends beyond pickleball, having chased a professional title in racquetball as a young athlete. This experience has shaped his understanding of competitive play and the dedication required to excel.

As a PPR Certified Professional and Youth Development Pickleball Instructor, Coach Gideon brings both expertise and enthusiasm to the court. He’s had the privilege of coaching both adults and youth for over two years, guiding players in developing their skills, strategy, and love for the game. His training includes attending a 3-Day Tyson McGuffin Pickleball Camp, where he refined his techniques and coaching methods.

In addition to pickleball, he coached youth racquetball and volleyball, giving him a well-rounded perspective on youth sports and athlete development. As a sponsored Elite Athlete Team Member, Coach Gideon is dedicated to staying informed on new techniques and strategies.

Whether your child is new to pickleball or looking to play at the the next level, Coach Gideon will provide your child with the tools and challenges to reach those goals and have fun along the way!

Coach Cruz is a dynamic and passionate Pickleball coach known for his high-energy coaching style and positive approach to every lesson. With a deep love for the game, Coach Cruz creates a vibrant, engaging environment where players of all levels can thrive. Whether you’re looking to improve your skills or simply enjoy the sport, he brings a perfect blend of competition and fun to every session. His ability to motivate and inspire, combined with his commitment to teaching, ensures that each player leaves feeling confident, energized, and excited to continue their Pickleball journey.

With three years of dedicated coaching experience, Coach Johnson brings a friendly, personable, and charismatic approach to the pickleball court. Growing up playing ping pong with friends, he developed a love for racquet sports early on, which naturally transitioned into a passion for pickleball.

Leveraging a background in soccer and wrestling, Coach Johnson infuses diverse athletic insights into his coaching, helping players develop not only their pickleball skills but also overall athleticism. Actively participating in men’s doubles and mixed tournaments, Coach Johnson brings current competitive experience to his coaching, ensuring players receive the latest strategic and technical insights.

Coach Johnson’s coaching philosophy centers around making pickleball accessible and fun for everyone. He excels at customizing lessons and classes to meet the unique needs of each player, whether you’re a beginner eager to learn the basics or an advanced player looking to refine your techniques.

Off the court, he enjoys listening to podcasts, watching pickleball videos, and going to the movies. For Coach Johnson, coaching is not just about improving one’s game but also about fostering a lifelong love for pickleball. He’s thrilled to join the coaching staff of Monster Athlete Juniors.

Coach Rosales has been coaching youth sports for over 26 years at both the recreational and competitive levels across a range of sports and has been coaching pickleball for 2 years. He is a certified pickleball instructor with PCI (Pickleball Coaching International) and teaches and coaches youth and adults to help them learn the game and advance to whatever levels they desire.

Hi, I’m Amelia, and I’m 13 years old. In my photo, I had the privilege of meeting Anna Leigh Waters at a recent  PPA tournament I competed in. Anna, a teenager like me, is the number one female pickleball player in the US.

Pickleball is my absolute favorite sport. From the first time I picked up a paddle, I fell in love with the game. Whether I’m playing a casual match with my family or competing in a tournament, I’m always excited to be on the court. I train hard to improve my skills and strategies, and I take pride in being a good sport and a supportive teammate. I love sharing my passion for pickleball with my friends and getting them involved in the game too. I look forward to coaching with Monster Athlete Juniors and helping kids to reach their potential.

Coach Amelia Johnson is ranked in the top 20 female junior players in the US by PPA. We welcome Amelia to our staff.

PPR Pro
Dynamite Doubles Certified coach
5.0 tournament player
D-1 Collegiate Volleyball Student Athlete
NCAA record holder
BS Health Education IU Bloomington

Coach Thyr is an experienced coach with many years coaching camps, clinics, school teams and clubs. She enjoys helping players improve their game through skills, strategy, sportsmanship, physical development and mental toughness. Team play is a priority, adding more fun and personal development as a person, that will add to an athlete’s  life.

After volleyball, pickleball was taking off as a new craze. Coach Thyr began playing too. She enjoys the culture, development of the game, strategy and mental exercise, many of which easily cross over from my previous sports. She has coached individual players, groups of players and teams since 2020. Currently she enjoys offering players different classes to incorporate skills in controlled, random learning situations which more easily transfer to real play. She also coaches individuals developing their fundamental skills. With her commitment for this season with Monster Athlete Club, Coach Thyr will seek to systematically develop her athletes’ fundamentals and, along the way, add the fun strategy aspect of this sport.

Coach Thyr’s  goals for young athletes are to develop good team dynamics, sportsmanship, strategy, skills and becoming overcomers of our own self-talk. Pickleball is a lifetime sport for all ages, easy to begin, and a challenge to perfect!

Coach  Shepard is a dedicated pickleball player based in Litchfield Park, AZ, with over 3 years of experience competing at an advanced level. Known for her aggressive serve and strategic play, Coach Shepard transitioned to pickleball from a high-level tennis background and quickly developed a passion for the sport. She thrives on the social aspect of pickleball and is a regular competitor in both local and out-of-state tournaments. She is also an enthusiastic advocate for newcomers, actively encouraging others to join the sport and discover its fun, competitive, and community-driven nature.

Coach Burgett is a lifelong sports enthusiast and experienced coach with a passion for physical and mental well-being. After retiring as a Commander from the Phoenix Police Department, she discovered pickleball and immediately related with its blend of strategy, agility, and community spirit.

With her background in leadership and coaching, Coach Burgett brings a dynamic and approachable style to players of all skill levels. She is dedicated to building a welcoming pickleball community where friendships are formed, skills are sharpened, and everyone feels inspired to thrive.