Dana Evans, General Manager - Email Dana
Dana was one of the original pioneers who started the Tennis Center at College Park. She joined the team as an administrator for the Junior Tennis Champions Center during its launch in June of 1999. Dana was a key ingredient to getting the program off the ground. Her years at the Champions Center were split between an administrator and a coach/mentor for top ranked junior players.

Three years later, Dana brought her talents to the Tennis Center at College Park. In 2002, she became the General Manager of the club and her priorities shifted from coaching the best juniors in the world to managing the best club in the world. As General Manager, Dana is responsible for the growth and the overall success of the Tennis Center at College Park. In her leadership position, Dana performs a wide range of managerial duties, but her number one priority is making the club a second home for the members.

Prior to working at the Tennis Center, Dana was an All American at Wake Forest University where she earned her BA in Anthropology. Following her studies at Wake Forest, Dana competed on the WTA Pro Circuit. During her time playing, Dana used her doubles talents to claim three pro circuit doubles titles. Following her time on the Tour, Dana continued her education receiving her MS in Educational Leadership at Hood College. During this time she also served as the Women’s Assistant Tennis Coach at the University of Maryland.

Dana’s achievements on and off the court continue to be recognized by her peers and the greater tennis community. In 2004, Dana was honored by the JTCC junior program (the not-for profit program housed at the club) as a “Champion for Life” In 2005, she was selected as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference Anniversary Team celebrating the Top 50 athletes in ACC History. Her leadership and management skills ensure the club’s prestigious status as on of the most unique and successful tennis facilities in the world.

Komi “Oliver” Akli, Senior High Performance Coach
Born: Lome, Togo
Oliver joined the Champions Center coaching team during the summer of 2000. As a senior coach, Oliver works with several players of all ages and levels and works with many of the top nationally ranked players. He leads a number of Club group clinics for adults and juniors and teaches private lessons. He has had many coaching successes including working with players who have won USTA and ITF titles. Olver strives to give his best to his students every day, and hopes to help them reach their goals whether in college or on the ATP or WTA tour. Oliver is USPTR/USPTA High Performance certified.

Oliver believes that true champions understand the importance of discipline and being tough. His philosophy is to make the Champions Center one of the best training facilities in the world by instilling a strong work ethic, determination, and discipline in every player.

Alisama “Ali” Agnamba, High Performance Coach
Born: Lome, Togo
Upon arriving to the US, Ali served as practice partner to Venus and Serena Williams. He then moved to the DC metro area where he served a coach at the Georgetown Day Boy’s Tennis Program. Since joining the Champions Center coaching staff, has conducted many junior and adult clinics and private lessons. Ali is also the head of the Junior Champions Program, designed for committed juniors age 7-12.

Ali’s coaching philosophy is to encourage his students to be disciplined, focused and to always feel good about themselves in the game of tennis and in life.

Mikhail “Misha” Kouznetsov, High Performance Coach
Raised in: Moscow, Russia
Misha began to play tennis at the age six at the world famous Spartak Tennis Club in Moscow. His training was coordinated by Alexander Volkov, coach of Marat Safin and Elena Dementieva. At the age of 15, Mikhail decided to move to the United States to continue his tennis training, receiving a scholarship from the Rick Macci Tennis Academy. Misha’s greatest personal achievement is graduating with honors from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) with a degree in computer science and earning a high GPA. Misha’s favorite sports are tennis, soccer, and skiing. His favorite athlete is Andre Agassi because of his personality and his wonderful efforts to help children. Misha’s father, who taught him a strong work ethic and how to be a strong person, is his role model. It was Misha’s father’s guidance that brought him from Russia to the US. He would also like to have a family of his own some day.

Misha’s greatest coaching achievement is coaching top international tennis players at JTCC. He also coached two top 20 players while working in Pennsylvania. He has also been a hitting partner for Anastasia Myskinia and Shenay Perry. Another achievement of Misha’s, is coaching and helping some of the top players at the Champions Center grow and excel. A goal of Misha’s is to develop a player and coach them to the top of either the ATP or WTA tours. He hopes to help many children become good tennis players and great individuals.

Misha’s coaching philosophy is to develop a strong technique for a player while concentrating on their future improvements. He defines a champion as a person who is not just a great tennis player but a great individual who has a strong work ethic and a great attitude towards life. He believes, “A champion is someone who overcomes challenges, learns from them, and becomes stronger!”

Eric Pickard, Staff Professional
Since his first exposure to the game at age three, Eric has been playing tennis for virtually his entire life. After inheriting his father's passion and commitment to the sport, Eric had the opportunity to play in college. From 2003 to 2007 he played in the Pacific-10 conference for the University of Oregon Ducks. His favorite tennis players are Roger Federer and Fabrice Santoro. His role models in life are William Wallace, James Madison, Bear Grylls and his father, Wayne.

Eric's coaching philosophy is predicated upon the idea that success in tennis and in life are shaped not by one's talent alone, but by hard work, selfdiscipline, an unquenchable desire to excel, and persistence in the face of doubt and pessimism. Eric believes tennis is an unending journey full of life lessons which can be learned by anyone who is brave and patient nough to pursue it.

Wilfrance Lominy, Assistant Coach
Wilfrance, born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, started playing tennis at the age of six at Sportsmen’s Tennis Center. Like the Junior Tennis Champions Center, the STC is a non-for-profit that combines sport with community outreach and junior enrichment. Wilfrance graduated from Hampton University with a marketing degree. She was part of the first official Women’s Pirates team in 1995. Since the success of her inaugural season her participation has pave the way for female students athletes. Wilfrance joined The Tennis Center at College Park in the spring of 2005 as an Assistant Teaching Professional. As a proven instructor, Wilfrance works with both juniors and adults in clinics and private lessons. She helps players of all abilities understand and learn the fundamentals of the game and hone their skills. Wilfrance also assists with marketing for the club.

Wilfrance believes in building a complete player, which is someone who listens, takes constructive criticism, takes pride in their abilities and the game, and knows when to be mentally tough. Ultimately you’re only as good as your attitude and that will take you far on and off the court. Martina Navratilova said it best, “ The mark of a great sportsman is not how good they are at their
best, but how good they are at their worst.”

Tyrone Turner , Assistant Coach
Born: Cincinnati, Ohio
Tyrone brings a lifetime of tennis experience to the Tennis Center at College Park, having joined us in the Spring of 2007. Prior to joining our team, Tyrone has been in the tennis industry for 35+ years, most recently working at the South East Tennis and Learning Center in Washington, DC. As an assistant coach, he spends his time on the court with both juniors and adults in clinics and private lessons.

Tyrone believes that tennis is one of the greatest sports because it operates on the honor system. He cites Andre Agassi as one of his favorite athletes due to his love of the game and what he has given back to the community. When Tyrone isn’t teaching or playing tennis, he enjoys spending time with his family.

Jacob Cook , Assistant Coach
Born: Ocean City, MD
Jacob joined the team at the Tennis Center at College Park in the fall of 2006, as an Assistant Teaching Professional. As an assistant coach, Jacob works with both juniors and adult in clinics and private lessons, helping to mold their games and reach new heights in their tennis careers. He is USPTA certified. Jacob graduated from Salisbury University with a degree in journalism, and is currently continuing his education, seeking a Master Degree from the University of Baltimore.

Jacob believes that a Champion is someone who shows up everyday with an open-mind and doesn’t have to be patted on the back to know they worked hard and gave it everything they had. It’s more than just winning and losing, but upholding the tradition of the game of tennis and not being afraid of laying it all on the line when it counts the most. A champion is a self-assessment; it’s hard to define from the outside. It’s being able to look yourself in the mirror and know you represented not only yourself, but your family, friends, and coaches in an admirable way. It is practicing and working hard when no one else is around, and being determined to be the best.