Our Instructors

Chris Karges

Chris Karges declared as a professional pickleball player in 2020 after being the mixed doubles silver medalist at the Nationals in Indian Wells, CA in 2018 and 2019 — and she only began playing pickleball in 2017!

Chris played tennis in college for the University of Kentucky from 1985-1988. Her collegiate tennis career included All-SEC and All-American honors as well as having the second most wins all time at UK!

Her pickleball resume is impressive with mixed doubles bronze at the 2019 US Open, gold at the 2019 Midwest Regional Open, gold at the 2019 Atlanta Regional Open and the women’s doubles mixed gold at the 2019 Atlanta 5.0 Regional.

Chris brings her great game and personality to the PoP providing private lessons and group clinics.

She can be reached at (865) – 274– 3381 for lessons or on the Court Reserve App for scheduled clinics.

Lee Martin

Lee Martin has played tennis for 54 years and was introduced to pickleball 3 years ago and fell in love with the equalizing strategic aspects of the game – a game for all ages, genders and all experience levels. It reminded him of the days he would play ping pong all day and still wanted to play more!

Lee is a PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry) licensed instructor since 2018. He won the 2019 East TN Senior Olympics 60-64 doubles championship and was the singles silver medalist. He also won the first pickleball tournament he entered at Knoxville Racquet Club, the Men’s 3.5 doubles in 2019. Lee teaches the complimentary introductory clinics for new members at the PoP including the initial rating of new members.

He arranges group events on the Court Reserve App. Let him know if you have a type of group that you want to create a recurring playing time (like youth beginners, women intermediates, couples ladder, super senior mixer).

Tito Lladro

Tito is ranked #39 in the world in men’s singles and is a rising young player in the game. His quick hands and strategic mind have made his transition from tennis to pickleball rapid and successful. Tito coordinates tournaments at the POP in addition to teaching private and small group lessons and clinics. His “Road toX.X” clinics are very popular taking his students to the next level.

Tito can be reached to schedule lessons at (423) 310-7552. He coordinates tournaments at the PoP for fundraisers and internal club competitions. He also leads summer clinics for youth players.

Lisa Duong

Lisa is a 2020 PPR Certified Pickleball Coach who teaches all levels at the Pavilion of Pickleball. Her aggressive topspin forehand always surprises her opponents with its speed and the jump it produces of the bounce, not to mention the drop that pulls you in the court! She is seasoned USTA league 4.5 tennis player and has captained many leagues for 18+ years taking many to state & nationals.

Lisa offers individual and small group lessons to improve your game and your strategies. She can be reached at (865) 385-8975 to inquire about lessons or group clinics.

Kelly Smith

Kelly brings a unique background in competitive athletics to pickleball. Having played marbles professionally in the South America jungle league for many years he experienced unprecedented success, once winning a basket full of multi colored yams. Growing bored with jungle marbles Kelly went on to play competitive Rock, Paper & Scissors in the European League, adding a 7th place finish in the prestigious South Luxembourg tournament to his accolades. Yearning to be back stateside after all those years abroad he came home to study under Professor H. P. Scotch, the definitive GOAT of Hopscotch. So successful, Kelly once played 6.5 games of Hopscotch non-stop!

Kelly brings this same sense of seriousness and intensity to working with newer pickleball players. Let’s learn the rules, the strategy of the game, practice some fun stuff and enjoy this silly yet wonderful game for a lifetime 🙂

Becky Hardesty

Becky was introduced to tennis in her early teens, and went on to play D1 college tennis at Alabama and Southern Illinois University. She played 5.0 to 4.0 levels over the years in USTA teams in Houston and Knoxville. Her passion to teach started when she was teaching children tennis in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois and obtained her USPTA certification in 2007 to teach tennis, scoring highest in stroke analysis. She has been a brand ambassador for Head, Prince, Diadem and more recently Holbrook. She has developed children’s tennis games from beginner level to college. She began playing pickleball in 2018 at Fort Sanders. As her love for pickleball grew, she spent more time competing in pickleball and hung up her tennis Racquet. In 2020 she got her PPR certification to teach pickleball. She loves helping adults and children improve their games.

Ty Petty

Ty Petty in his youth was in the Top 10 in the USA in ping pong! He brings that amazing strategy and hand-eye coordination to his championship pickleball career. Ty is an ITPTA Certified Level II instructor.

His tournament championships are impressive including:

  • US Open Over 40 mixed doubles champion, 2018

  • 9 gold medals in 5.0 events over a 12 month period.

  • 20 medals in 5.0 events in less than 3 year

  • Medalist in 5.0 doubles in 3 different USAPA Regionals

Ty will be providing individual lessons, 3 or 4 and a pro, and group clinics on advanced play.

He can be reached directly at (423) 753-4956 to schedule individual lessons or see the Court Reserve App for scheduled clinics with Ty.

Mike Lucas

Mike has played Tennis most of his life and was part of a team that won back to back mixed doubles National Championships in 2007 and 2008. He also captained a 4.5 men team in 2019 that lost 3-2 in the finals at Nationals.

Shortly after that, he started playing Pickleball and hung up his tennis racquet and he’s been playing nothing but Pickleball ever since. He has won multiple gold medals in tournaments and most recently took Gold at the state senior Olympics in doubles. He has always had a passion for teaching and recently was certified to continue his passion to teach Pickleball at POP.

Mickey Napier

Mickey Napier is a PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry) licensed instructor since March 2024 and a competitive 4.0 player.

Despite just one year of pickleball experience, Mickey’s athletic background in AAU Basketball and Travel Volleyball has given her an edge on the court. At 6’1″, she uses her wingspan, quick hands, and reflexes to her advantage, blending competitiveness, adaptability, and court awareness into her pickleball game.

Her coaching style is fun, hands-on, and focused on player growth. She believes anyone can learn the sport and excels at breaking down mistakes to improve form. Her greatest joy is helping students make breakthroughs and fall in love with the game.

Mickey’s accomplishments include winning bronze in the POP KPL Fall 2023, gold in women’s doubles (4.0) and singles (3.0) at the 2024 Pickleball Palooza, and bronze at both the Southern Pickleball MLP and Harvest for Hope mixed doubles (4.0) tournaments in 2024.

As the founder of Napier Athletics, Mickey organizes pickleball tournaments across the South and coaches bootcamps, kids camps, small group lessons, and private sessions at POP. She can be reached at 615-438-6938 and through the Court Reserve App.

Beth Shelton

I started playing in March of 2014. I worked for Knoxville City Parks & Rec for over 5 years teaching people how to play Pickleball. I got my Pro Instructor Certification in April of 2024.