Meet Our Experienced Team

Coach Vandanaa started playing tennis at the age of four and loved the sport instantly. She started competing in the international circuit at the age of 13 and played over 110 matches reaching a career-best singles ranking of 163, a doubles ranking of 144 in the World Junior ITF, and a WTA ranking of 727.

Career Highlights

• Played for India in the World Youth Cup, Jakarta, Indonesia
• Represented India in the World Junior ITF tournament, U-14.
• Trained at ITF Academy for High Performance in Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Former WTA World-Ranked Tour Professional
• Yoga certified professional

Our Director of Pickleball, Lauren Giedgowd, is a DUPR-certified coach who especially loves working with beginners and youth, helping players build confidence, fundamentals, and a lifelong love for the game. She discovered pickleball during the summer of 2020 and quickly fell in love with both the sport and the community it creates.

Lauren competes regularly in national pickleball tournaments at the 4.5+ level and brings both high-level experience and genuine passion to the court. She was a two-time captain of Virginia’s women’s team that won Nationals in 2024 (finalists in 2025) and a member of the MXD Virginia team that captured a national title the same year. Her favorite tournament is the U.S. Open held in Naples, FL every year.
A University of Pennsylvania graduate, Lauren spent her early career working in digital marketing in New York City before settling down in Richmond. When she’s not on the courts, most of her time is spent cheering on and chauffeuring her three kids.

Coach Ryan brings over 20 years of teaching experience and a deep passion for player development to Yello Club. He is a graduate of the Professional Tennis Management and Recreation Leadership Program in Tyler, Texas, and began his coaching journey with a prestigious internship at the Evert Tennis Academy, known for developing top-tier talent.

Over the years, Ryan has worked in a variety of high-level coaching roles, most recently serving as Head Tennis Professional at The Dominion Club in Glen Allen, Virginia. A highlight of his career was co-founding a tennis academy in Charlotte, NC—an experience that reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to creating meaningful player pathways.

When he’s not on court, Ryan channels his creativity into www.byryanthomas.com, his own wood carving and reclaimed art business. He’s also passionate about juggling, nature, animals, church, and spending time with his family.

Shad Pospahala has nearly 30 years of expertise in athletic performance enhancement. After beginning his career in the private fitness sector, he spent over a decade as a strength and conditioning coach at four Division 1 universities: the University of Richmond, the University of Delaware, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Virginia. At UVA, Shad served as the men’s tennis strength and conditioning coach, playing a pivotal role in the success of a nationally top-ranked program and an individual national champion.

Seeking a new challenge, Shad transitioned to St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, VA, where he and Coach Bob Blanton co-led one of the nation’s premier high school strength and conditioning programs. Their efforts helped numerous athletes achieve their dreams of competing at the collegiate level.

In 2017, Shad left the private school sector to prioritize his family’s lifestyle while continuing to design and implement training programs from his home facility for a variety of athletes. Beyond his professional endeavors, Shad is passionate about outdoor adventures, sports, fishing, building projects, and cooking.

Evan Holzmacher brings competitive experience, strong leadership, and a passion for mentoring young players. He currently serves as the Team Captain for the Men’s Tennis Team at Randolph-Macon College, where he competes at the collegiate level and leads by example both on and off the court.

Evan has a natural ability to connect with players and create an encouraging learning environment. He focuses on helping juniors develop strong fundamentals, smart court awareness, and confidence through consistency and positive reinforcement.

At Yello Club, Evan is excited to share his love of the game and support players in their personal growth and competitive journey.

Coach Derrick has been teaching tennis to kids and adults for nearly 10 years. After gaining the initial experience under Richmond’s Parks and Recreation program he assisted with several afterschool organizations including TGA, the RTA, and VCU’s Lobs & Lessons program.

Derrick played for VCU’s club tennis team despite having opportunities to play at local D3 Universities. Certified in Junior Performance through the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), he continues to work with juniors and adults at all levels with emphasis on coaching for players at the performance level.