Our Team
Vandanaa Murali
Head Coach | Tennis Pro - USPTR, AITA Certified
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
Ryan Thomas
Tennis Pro
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.
Nick Davis
Tennis Pro
Coach Nick has been passionate about tennis since his high school days at Park View High School in Sterling, VA, graduating in 2005. While attending Brigham Young University, he served as Assistant Team Manager for the Division I Men’s Tennis Team, gaining valuable insight into competitive play and team development.
In the past five years, Nick has combined his love of science and sport—teaching high school biology and environmental science while also coaching boys’ and girls’ varsity tennis teams. He has led youth tennis instruction across red, orange, and green ball levels, with a strong focus on building confidence, fostering growth, and instilling sportsmanship.
Coach Nick is dedicated to helping every young athlete thrive both on and off the court, and he’s excited to support your player’s journey at Yello Club.
David Caravati
Tennis Pro
Coach David has extensive coaching experience with middle and high school students and is the current head coach for the Maggie Walker Governor’s School Boys’ Tennis team. He grew up in the Richmond area and trained locally while helping his teams win state championships in high school. He played club tennis at Virginia Tech and has stayed involved through USTA leagues across Virginia.
Coach David has taught freelance private lessons for kids and adults of all ages and loves fostering a passion for tennis in each athlete he works with. As a Goochland resident, he is super-excited to join Yello Club and see the local racquet sports community grow. He has a wife, Natasha, and two young sons
Shad Posphala
Julia Davis
Evan Holzmacher
Performance Coach
Tennis Pro
Tennis Pro
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.
Julia Davis brings a strong competitive and coaching background to Yello Club. She began playing tennis at age 6 and quickly climbed the national rankings to become one of the Top 50 junior players in the United States. Her skill and determination led her to play Division 1 tennis at the University of Oregon, where she competed at the top of the lineup in both singles and doubles throughout her collegiate career.
After graduating, Julia turned her focus to coaching, working at private clubs throughout the Bay Area in California. She has trained players of all ages and skill levels, and is known for her enthusiastic, player-focused approach and deep knowledge of the game.
Now relocated to Richmond, Julia is excited to be part of the Yello Club coaching team. Outside of tennis, she enjoys homeschooling her four young children and exploring the Richmond area’s parks, trails, and local restaurants
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.
