OUR TRAINING TEAM
All of our trainers are IPTPA Certified, (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association). The IPTPA is the world leader in developing teaching standards in the sport of pickleball. A certified IPTPA instructor is your guarantee that your instructor knows the strokes, strategies and shot selection specific to pickleball.
JESSE SIMON, HOP PRO
Jesse is a 5.0+ pickleball player residing in Leland, NC. He is an IPTPA certifide pickleball coach and is the HOP Pro. He played collegiate tennis at Fairmont State University from 2001-2004. Simon tried pickleball for the first time in 2012 and was immediately hooked.
RICHARD HOLLOMAN,
HOP OWNER
Richard enjoys playing pickleball at the 4.0+ level. He is an IPTPA certifide pickleball coach who has been playing pickleball for over 9 years.
HENRY BOYLE, HOP PRO
Henry hails from London, England, where he played high level tennis as a nationally ranked junior. He came to the USA on a tennis scholarship to play college tennis at Concord University & nationally ranked top 50 Chestnut Hill College in NCAA Division 2. He has a DUPR Rating of 5.46 in Doubles; Highest Rated player in Wilmington, NC & Top 10 in State of North Carolina.
CATHIE CARPENTER
Cathie is an ITPTA Level I Certified Instructor. She fell in love with playing Pickleball after learning to play when she moved to the area in 2017. Cathie thoroughly enjoys teaching new players how to play and teaching beginners skills to improve their game. She especially cherishes seeing the excitement new players have when learning to play.
KEVIN CARPENTER
Kevin is a pickleball addict who quickly fell in love with the game and feels blessed to be able to share the joy of the sport with others - with an emphasis on fun, laughter, and social interaction. He believes that pickleball is a great “social exercise” for all ages. Kevin’s specialty is teaching new players the basics as well as the many nuances of the game in an enthusiastic and fun manner. Nothing makes him happier than seeing new players get excited about the sport, meeting new people, and improving their game…. and often becoming another pickleball addict! Kevin is an IPTPA certified coach who is available for both group and private instruction.
VICKI KELLY
Vicki is a Pickleball enthusiast and is IPTPA level I and 2 certified. She has trained with Simone Jardim & Corinne Carr at the HOP Academy as well as Sarah Ansboury for certification through the PPR. From New England, Vicki bases her coaching style from her ownership of 2 gymnastic schools so that players improve their skills by drilling and practicing. Vicki is passionate about coaching the sport of pickleball to adults, and is youth certified as well. She is available for private and group instruction, and organizes training classes at the HOP.
JILL VARGAS
Originally from Long Island, NY, Jill enjoys all sports, but pickleball is now her passion. Jill is a Certified IPTPA Level I and Level II Pickleball Instructor, and a PPR Certifed Pro Instructor. She enjoys promoting this great sport through education and skill development. Jill teaches pickleball clinics, and offers private pickleball lessons for all ages. In addition to being a certified pickleball instructor, Jill is also a certified health coach.
LAURIE DEAVER
Laurie is PPR certified and truly enjoys teaching. She enjoys working with beginners and intermediates and seeing them light up at learning something new! She loves what this game does for building friendships and camaraderie. She loves to see people on the court having fun, meeting new people, and improving their game. Her teaching and coaching philosophy is based on positive reinforcement, encouragement, and fun. Pickleball is for everybody!
STEVE TAYLOR
Steve took his passion for ping pong and turned it into an obsession for pickleball. Keeping fun. in the forefront, he enjoys sharing his addiction for pickleball with those just starting out or those working to take their game to a higher level. As a PPR certified coach, he enjoys helping others improve their game while always focusing on finding joy in the game as well. Steve took home the gold at the North Carolina Senior Games and won silver at the USA Pickleball Diamond Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.