Play Pickleball at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School (Tennis Court)

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.