Play Pickleball at Irvine Valley College (Tennis Court)

Discovering pickleball was life-changing, and sharing that passion with others is incredibly rewarding. My tournament experience combined with a year of dedicated coaching allows me to guide players of all levels toward reaching their full potential on the court. Let's unlock your inner champion together!

"Awesome coach! Fun and to the point

Hi, I'm Katherine! A lifelong tennis athlete, I've seamlessly transitioned into the world of pickleball as a 4.0 rated player. With my experience, I'm here not just to teach but to help you develop a genuine passion for the game. Let's dive into pickleball together, and I promise, you'll fall in love with it!

"My husband and I had such a great time learning from Katherine. She made the lesson so fun and gave us many tips on how to step up our game!

Hello! My name is Rish and I’m a dedicated Tennis and Pickleball Coach. I have more than 8 years of coaching experience teaching players of all ages and skill levels. In December 2024, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Michigan Tech with a B.S. in Management Information Systems and double minors in Pre-Health Professions and Public Health. I played four years of NCAA Division II tennis. I coached and captained my school’s pickleball team to DUPR Nationals in November 2024. As a current professional pickleball player on the PPA and APP Tours, I leverage my understanding of both tennis and pickleball to transform beginners into advanced players. My coaching style focuses on technique, strategy, and mental strength. Most importantly, I foster a positive learning environment for all my students, regardless of their skill level and goals. Coaching Philosophy & Strengths: • Fundamentals for Beginners: Emphasizing proper grip, footwork, stroke mechanics, and shot selection. • Competitive Player Development: Full court coverage, contact point timing, tactical play, and point set up. Serve variation dependent on playing conditions, tweaking specific stroke mechanics, and mental preparation. • Inclusive Coaching: Adapting methods to support diverse players during group lesson settings. • Specialized Coaching: Ex: Poaching I-Formation Drill for Doubles vs First Volley Approach Drill for Singles Coaching Experience (2016–Present): • Coached ages 3 to seniors, adapting lessons to individual needs. • Served as Lead Assistant Coach at various Southern California tennis camps. Coaching Highlights: • Guided a complete beginner to a 5.0 pickleball level in one academic year. • Mentored two collegiate teammates to 5.0 pickleball level within a year. • Led a collegiate pickleball team to a DUPR Nationals bid from unranked. • Improved a special-needs beginner tennis player from 3-ball rallies to 15-ball rallies. Team Captain & Coach on the DUPR Collegiate Circuit (2023-2024): • Led practice sessions, created lineups, coached teammates, and lead team to a Regional win. NCAA Division II Tennis at Michigan Tech (2020-2024): • Lead Michigan Tech to their first GLIAC conference win in over 20 years. • Only player with a win against D2 National Champions Wayne State. • ITA Scholar-Athlete (2021–2024), Academic Excellence (2022–2023). Professional Pickleball (2023–Present): • Top 25 finishes at 2 APP NextGen events, including a singles win over a doubles gold medalist. • Advanced in a PPA professional qualifier, defeated a 6.0 pro doubles team at 2nd NextGen event Junior Tennis Achievements (2016-2020): • Won the inaugural CIF Boys Open Division, graduating as the top national high school program. • Rated a 3-Star recruit with a highest UTR of 10 & Defeated a 12 UTR player before the pandemic.