Meet Our Coaches

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

Hi, I’m Coach Laurie Roy
– Your Guide To The Next Level
I’m a 5.0-rated competitive player and dedicated pickleball instructor based in Peoria, AZ.
I know what it takes to compete and win at the highest amateur levels, because I’ve spent years competing there myself.
My favorite competitive highlight was earning the Gold Medal at Nationals 4.5, 55+ at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The year before, I cramped during the gold medal match, had to withdraw, and ended up in the hospital.
I didn’t get to hold our country’s flag on the medal stand that year.
Coming back and winning it the following year is something I will never forget.
Now coaching juniors, I’ve made it my mission to help every young player who steps onto the court to reach their potential.

Coach Russ Presser

Coach At Arrowhead Juniors

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.

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!

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.