Recognized as a USTA National Premier Facility
Prior to Edmond Center Court, David Minihan, Director of Tennis, operated Westwood Tennis Center, 2007 USTA National Facility of the Year, for 21 years. As a coach, David is best known as a player development coach as he has been recognized with many awards by both the USTA district and section. Such awards include the USPTA Missouri Valley Professional of the Year, USPTA Facility Manager of the Year, USTA Missouri Valley Outstanding Contributor to USTA Youth Tennis, USTA Oklahoma Excellence in Tennis Programming and USPTA Oklahoma Professional of the Year. In 2022, David was inducted into the Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame. David is also a published writer as he recently authored the book, "Coaching Your Tennis Champion." Minihan also founded and is the chief editor of the Oklahoma tennis magazine, The Baseliner. In addition, David is a national tournament director directing USTA district, sectional and national tournaments. David is a Master Professional with the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) which only 1% of teaching professionals worldwide hold this distinction. One of David's passion's is his foundation that he and his wife started, Play it Forward. This foundation focuses on working with players with special needs and those that are underserved. David was instrumental in bringing the sport of tennis into the Oklahoma Special Olympics where he volunteers his time as their Director of Tennis. He is also on the Wilson Advisory Staff as well as serving on various USTA Missouri Valley committees. In 2020, David and his family were awarded the USTA National Ralph W. Westcott Tennis Family of the Year. . David is married to Lisa and has two daughters, Aspen and Chloe.
Aaron Marchetti was an NCAA All-American in 1999 while playing for Virginia Tech University. While there he reached as high as #2 in the country in singles and #9 in doubles. He is a member of two Hall of Fames, the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame and the Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame. Aaron achieved an ATP ranking in both singles and doubles and was a member of the USTA Rookie Professional Team training with the best coaches and players in the country. He holds three USTA National Championship Gold Balls and in the past 15 years has been instrumental in developing multiple State and National Champions and has developed countless NCAA Division 1 players in the Kansas City area. Aaron and his wife Amber have three wonderful kids, Ava (14), Andrew (13) and Amelia (10).
Growing up in Norman, Caitlyn started her transition from soccer player to tennis player at the age of 14 when she would go rally at the neighborhood tennis court with her step-father after school. At age 16 she joined the Norman North tennis team and played varsity doubles her 1st year. Senior year she qualified for 6A State at singles after 1 year of playing competitively. Caitlyn was offered a tennis scholarship to play at Baker University in Kansas where she obtained a degree in Exercise Science. She played in top 3 spots all 4 years. Finished out her senior season at the #2 Singles position and received All-HAAC honors in doubles. After college Caitlyn was hired by her alma mater as Assistant Men’s and Women’s tennis Coach. She helped lead the Wildcats to their first winning season and top 4 conference tournament finish since 2001. She also during this time worked as Head Personal Trainer at 24 Hour Fitness in KC. In 2016 Caitlyn moved back to Oklahoma City and began working at the Greens Country Club. At the Greens, Caitlyn had a hand in the development and growth of many programs including: juniors classes, adult events, pickleball, and group exercise classes. In 2017 she was honored as the Under 30 Tennis Professional of the Year for the Missouri Valley Section. Caitlyn has also been working as the assistant tennis coach at Crossings Christian School for both the middle and high schools teams since 2017. Her assistance in coaching led to the boys team placing 2nd at state for the first time in school history. Caitlyn is an NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach.
Ian Sioux grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma watching and playing tennis throughout the Missouri Valley. Before coming to Edmond Center Court Ian coached at John Newcombe Tennis Academy, Quail Creek Country Club, and Oklahoma City Tennis Center. With over 10 years of coaching experience Ian believes in a coach-parent-player relationship that involves everyone in the process on and off the court. Young at heart, Ian loves to match the high energy of the clients he works with. Ian’s love for the game shows through his passion for coaching others. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and playing tennis with his wife Emily.
Ian began his college career by helping Collin County Community College reach the number 1 ranking in the country with a top 10 doubles ranking. Later reaching the semifinals in both singles and doubles in JUCO Nationals. After transferring to Seminole State College Ian went to win their regional title later becoming a top 10 doubles pair at the Small College Nationals where DII, DIII, NAIA and JUCO all compete in the same tournament. Ian received a Gold Medal in the Jim Thorpe Games in 2012. Collectively Ian has obtained over 15 titles in the Native American Nationals and received the Native American Championships Max Factor Sportsmanship Award in 2019.
Born in Piatra Neamt, Romania, Alex Ghilea started playing tennis at the age of 5. Until the age of 16, Alex won over 5 national titles in Romania and managed to reach the number one spot under 16 in the European Ranking. At the age of 17, he reached an ITF World Junior ranking of 42 and played in the Junior Australian Open. He was also part of the Romanian Davis Cup Team for the matches against Ukraine and Finland in 2012.
An NCAA Top 10 Incoming Freshman in 2014, Alex was recruited by schools such as TCU, OU, Cornell, Georgia Tech, and other prestigious D1 institutions. He chose OU because of the coaching staff led by John Roddick. With OU, Alex was an All-American in singles in 2017, where he reached the NCAA Elite 8 in singles. In 2015, Alex and the Sooners won program’s first ITA Indoor National Title, where Alex was named the Most Outstanding Player. With OU, Alex also reached 3 NCAA Finals, Won 3 Big 12 Titles, and was named 2016 Dan Gibbons Scholar Athlete of the Year by OU’s Athletic Department. After completing his eligibility, Alex Ghilea worked as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the OU Men’s Tennis Team in 2018.
Martina is a native of Manfredonia, Italy. Until the age of 17, Martina won 7 National titles in Italy and in 2015 she won two ITF singles titles and reached a career-high junior ITF singles ranking of 227. Martina has also played for the Italian national team for four years. Martina competed in many ITF Junior tournaments, winning two ITF U18 in Palermo and Algeria. At the age of 19, Martina decided to play for the University of Arkansas, where her sophomore and junior year competed primarily at the No.1 spot for the Razorbacks and reached a best ranking of No. 53 in singles. She earned Second team All-SEC honors. In 2019 Martina was selected to play in the Women’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American Tournament. Before her senior year, Martina transferred to Oklahoma State University, where she competed mainly at the No.3 spot in singles. She had 13 singles wins during the Spring of 2022 and 18 total wins in doubles. She mainly partnered with Mhai Sawangkaew and Oona Orpana in doubles and was recognized as a member of the All-Big 12 second team with her partner Mhai Sawangkaew. Martina was nationally ranked in both singles and doubles and helped the Cowgirls reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Championships and helped the team reach a best ranking of #7 in the Nation. Martina won one pro tournament 15K in Norman, Oklahoma, with her doubles partner Oona Orpana and competed in many 15 and 25K in her tennis career, achieving many WTA points and the semifinals in singles at the 15K in Norman, OK during her senior year at Oklahoma State University.
Martina graduated from Oklahoma State University in the Fall of 2021 with a Communications major. Then she decided to further her education by completing a Master’s degree in M.S. Mass Communications with a focus on Brand and competed for the Cowgirls for her graduate year. Martina finished her studies and her collegiate tennis career in May of 2023. During her collegiate career, Martina won the 2019 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Summer Circuit Winner and was the OU invitational singles champ. Martina also received many awards for her volunteer work. She was recognized multiple times as an ITA scholar-athlete and then recognized by many honors lists for her academic achievements, such as the 2023 scholar-athlete, 2022 Dean's Honor Roll - BIG 12 Academic Team, 2021 SEC Honor Roll, 2019-2020 SEC Spring Honor Roll, 2018-2019 SEC Spring Honor Roll, 2018 Fall Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List.
Marina Robinson began playing tennis as a seven-year-old in Moscow, Russia. She was coached by Rauza Islamova, mother and first coach of Marat Safin and Dinara Safina, and trained with Natasha Myskina. In 1999, she came to the University of Central Oklahoma, ranked #11 in the Nation. She went to the National Championship with the team and was named the All American Doubles Team. She played her last three years at UCO as the number one singles and doubles player. In 2004, Marina graduated with a BS in Science of Accounting. USPTA Elite certified since 2005, she has taught for the past 17 years at the Greens Country Club where she also ran women's play days, kids nights, and members mixers. She developed, managed, and participated in ProAm ladies leagues and flex singles leagues. She trained several high-performance female players who qualified to play college.
2007 USTA National Husband-Wife Hard Court Doubles Third Place
2008 Mixed National Championship 9.0 Champion. 2008 Missouri Valley Assistant Professional of the Year. 2007-2008 Coached Junior Team Tennis to National Championship in Mobile, AL . 2014 USPTA Missouri Valley Oklahoma Pro of the Year. Marina and her husband Randy have two wonderful children, Damien and Danielle.
Zac Dillard was born and raised in Wichita Falls, TX. He began his tennis career at age 8, playing with his grandmother in the sweltering Texas heat. While at WF Rider High School he made the UIL 4A State Singles Quarterfinals his senior year, losing to the eventual champion. Zac played his collegiate tennis at Midwestern State University and had a storied career for the NCAA Division II program. The team made the national tournament three straight years, from 2005-2007, reaching the elite 8 for the first time in school history his sophomore year. That same year Zac and his doubles partner, Brett Emerson, garnered All-American status in doubles by finishing the year #9 in the nation. In 2006, Brett and Zac finished runner-up in the ITA Small College National Championships. Zac finished his career 4th on the MSU all- time wins list, 131-35 and as the school’s all- time winningest doubles player at 78-17. Zac graduated in 2009 with a bachelor of science in Psychology. While in college Zac began coaching at the Wichita Falls Country Club and decided to dedicate his time and energy to promoting the game of tennis. Since then he has twelve years of experience ranging from young beginners to elite collegiate athletes. Zac is USPTA certified with plans to obtain Elite Professional status and eventually become High Performance Certified. He is passionate about the game of tennis and loves teaching all ages and levels.
A Warsaw, Poland native, Julius became an American citizen in Boston, Mass. October of 1989. Julius worked for NBC Television in Boston as a graphic designer and for United Engineers as a designer. He also worked part-time as a tennis coach which lead to a full time position as a Head Professional at Oakley Country Club in Belmont, Mass. He then began coaching the Men's tennis team at Wayland High School and eventually became a full time Professional at the Longfellow Swimming and Tennis Club. In 1989 he was hired as the Head Women's Tennis Coach at Oklahoma State University. When he retired from OSU, he set the record for most wins by any women's tennis coach. Shortly after his retirement, Julius became the Head Professional at OLS Family Fitness Center in Houston, TX. Some of Julius' accomplishments prior to Kickingbird includes: Organizer for the USTA Boys 16 Indoor National Championship Tournament, Big 8 title 1990-91, Big 12 title 2001 and 2003, 4-time NCASS Central Region Championships, 4-time Indoor National Championship appearances, 5-time NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, Big 8 Coach of the Year, B12 Coach of the Year, 9-Academic All-American students, and ITA Doubles team ranked #2 in the nation two years in a row.
Coach Tam grew up in Edmond, OK where she attended Oklahoma Christian School. She went on to get her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at the University of Oklahoma. While working on her USPTA certification, she specializes in the development of red, orange and green ball players. In addition to coaching Tennis U and Launch classes, she gives back to the game volunteering as a board member of the Play it Forward Tennis Foundation. Coach Tam is still competitive through USTA Leagues with great success as her mixed team qualified for nationals in 2021. She is married to David Cromwell and they have 5 children all of which play tennis. "Coach Tam is one of our most popular coaches. Her work ethic, knowledge of the game and her outgoing personality is contagious to her co-workers." -David Minihan, Director of Tennis
Jacob grew up playing tennis at Kickingbird Tennis Center and played two years of varsity tennis at Edmond Memorial High School. During the two years of varsity play Jacob and his doubles partner finished 4th place at two doubles in 2012 and finished at 6th place at two singles in 2013. After high school Jacob went to go play for Seminole State College (SSC) a top NJCAA team and coached by Head Coach Brian Nelson. While being at SSC the team finished at 4th place his freshmen year and runner-up his sophomore year at the NJCAA National Championships. After Seminole Jacob decided to return to Edmond and is currently getting his degree in Business Management at the University of Central Oklahoma. In 2017 Jacob earned his USPTA certification and taught a Nike tennis camp at the University of North Texas. Jacob coaches at all levels from children to adult players. He still loves the game and plays competitively whenever he can. Loves to introduce newcomers to tennis and hopes it has a big impact on their lives like it did for him.
Matthew Ford was born and grew up here in Edmond, Oklahoma and began playing tennis when he was 13 years old. He trained at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center and the Greens country club all throughout high school. While being involved in juniors he traveled all around the Missouri valley playing different level of tournaments. During the school season he played 6A varsity tennis at Edmond Santa Fe High School where he played 1 singles his first 3 years and 1 doubles senior year, where he was awarded COAC 6A doubles team of the year. Matthew went on to play college tennis at Oklahoma Baptist University and played line 4 singles and line 2 doubles. During his time on the team he was elected to represent mens tennis on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He graduated in May 2023 with a bachelors of exercise science in health and human performance degree.
Jenna Noel grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She started her junior tennis career at 8 years old. From there Jenna went on to play throughout the Missouri Valley district as well as numerous national tournaments.
During high school, Jenna played 6A varsity 1 singles for Westmoore High School, where she placed 4th in 2016, 3rd in 2017, 2nd in 2018 and 2019. In 2017, 2018 and 2019 she won the COAC Female Singles Player of the Year award. Also in 2019, Jenna was named All State First Team and All State 6A Female Singles Player of the Year.
After juniors, Jenna received a full scholarship to play D1 tennis at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where she played line 4 singles and line 1 doubles, then transferred to a D2 school, Oklahoma Baptist University, and played line 2 singles and line 1 doubles. During her time at OBU, she was named All-GAC second team.
Before Edmond Center Court, Jenna coached at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club for over 2 years. She is also the current Casady High School girls Assistant Tennis Coach.
Emily graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO in 1998 with a BSPT. She then completed a three year residency in Texas with the Manual Therapy Institute and is designated as a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT). She became a certified tennis performance specialist (CTPS) in 2017. She is co-owner of CORE Physical Therapy in Edmond which has been open for 17 years. She specializes in injury prevention and treatment, strength and agility training, and nutrition/hydration for tennis athletes. Emily also serves on the board of USTA Oklahoma. Schedule your next workhout by contacting Emily at 405.317.2611.
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