MEET OUR TEAM
Our facility manager, program directors, and instructors bring decades of combined experience to Samuell Grand. Reach out directly to book a lesson or ask about programs.
LEADERSHIP
Lea Alguacil
Racquets Director bringing a passion for player development and inclusive community-building at every level of play. Former Division I collegiate tennis player and two-year team captain who competed on the ITF and WTA circuits. Holds a Bachelor's in Business and Management and an MBA. USPTA Elite Certified Tennis Professional and Certified Pickleball Professional.
INSTRUCTORS & COACHES
Paul Luzardo
PTR Certified. Originally from Venezuela, ranked No. 9 nationally as a junior and competed on the COSAT South American circuit. Trained under Patricio Apey Sr. in Miami and competed in ITF junior and Futures events. Earned a computer science degree at East Tennessee State University while helping the team to back-to-back Atlantic Sun Conference titles.
Juan David Duque
Originally from Colombia and fluent in English and Spanish, Juan David is a former NCAA D-II player ranked as high as No. 10 in doubles (UTR 11.5+). He has coached with the Rafa Nadal Academy summer camps, led junior development at Falls Town Courts, and taught private lessons at country clubs, bringing positive energy and personalized coaching to every level.
Andra Cornea
Born in Romania and came to America in 2011 on a full tennis scholarship. Kinesiology graduate (Health Science minor) from Austin Peay State University (D-I), where she captained the team for two years. Top 50 in Romania at 18 and 2007 Prince Cup competitor. Coaching since 2006, ages 3 to 82, with an emphasis on technique, consistency, strategy, and mental coaching. Joined Samuell Grand in May 2022.
Daniel Garcia
Joined the Samuell Grand team in 2021 with 4+ years of coaching experience. Specializes in on-court strategy, in-depth mechanics training, and personalized player development from 1.0 beginner through 4.0 advanced levels. Has helped build competitive team programs at Samuell Grand.
Monica Davy
Originally from Morris, Illinois and now living in Dallas. Competed collegiately at Saint Mary's College (Notre Dame, IN) and specializes in coaching juniors and adult beginners to intermediate players. Also serves as a pickleball tournament director.
Vladimir Kurdiumov
Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Reached a Top 20 national ranking in Ukraine and competed in Tennis Europe, ITF U18, and Futures events, and served as a sparring partner for WTA 27 Marta Kostyuk. Moved to the US in 2021 to study Sport Management at the University of South Carolina and joined Samuell Grand in May 2025. Also serves as a UTR tournament director.
Derek Kedigh
A Kansas City native, Derek played collegiately at Northwest Missouri State and reached the Division II National Championships as a freshman. He began teaching at Hilltop Racquet Club and continued at the Green Tennis Center in Columbia, MO. Over 15 years he has coached players of all ages and levels, from first-time beginners to competitive juniors and adults.
Cole Whitney
Cole retired from corporate America in 2025 to help people improve their health through tennis. A Chicagoland junior and longtime advanced USTA League player in Dallas, he has coached USTA teams, youth camps, and a corporate team to a Special Olympics silver medal. RSPA certified in 2026. His grandsons call him G-Pops. Hit the tops with Coach G-Pops!
Tammy Smith
Tammy loves bringing people together through pickleball. As League & Events Coordinator, she builds programs that give everyone a place to play, from beginner-friendly Pop-Ups and mixers to leagues, DUPR play, and tournament-style events. She believes pickleball is for everyone and works to create a welcoming community where players can learn, connect, and have fun.
Soozy Martin
IPTPA Certified Pickleball Instructor and marathon runner (160 half marathons in 147 months). Plays pickleball 5 days a week and has completed referee training. Passionate about teaching the rules and details of the game so students learn something new every lesson.
Brad Shelton
A Waxahachie native now living in Midlothian, Brad proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. A former high school tennis player, he is a PPR Level 1 Certified Coach pursuing Level 2. Brad competes with fellow veterans through Team Semper Fi and the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation, and is dedicated to helping players reach their full potential on the court.
Dora Johannesen
Grew up in Canada, won the Canadian nationals at 13, and stayed inside the country's top three through her junior years before earning a full scholarship to play NCAA Division I tennis at the University of Virginia. 15+ years of coaching experience helping juniors and adults reach their tennis goals.
Marta Ascenzo
Toronto native who was ranked as high as No. 1 in Canada in both singles and doubles as a junior. Played on the Canadian Fed Cup juniors team and earned a D-I scholarship to the University of Virginia. After 10 years in finance, shifted to fitness and athletics, and is dedicated to growing accessible public tennis in the community.
Jackie Mitterer
MBA in Business Management and Marketing from PUC-Chile and UCLA. Former Marketing VP at Bank Santander in Lima before moving to the US in 2000. Played on the Peruvian National Basketball team from age 13 through college and now competes in multiple tennis leagues, sharing lessons from sports as a foundation for lifelong success.