Matt graduated from College of the Holy Cross in 2021 where he played four years of Division I tennis and captained the team his junior and senior years. He is now another tennis player turned 5.0+/Pro tournament pickleball player! Matt co-founded First Serve Tennis in 2020 with his good friend Aaron before the two of them fell in love with pickleball and created Montclair Pickleball.

During his career as a coach, he has taught tennis and pickleball to over 2000 players and has experience teaching both kids and adults. Matt takes an adaptive, goal oriented approach to his coaching strategies and is always looking to share his experience and spread his passion for the game. For Matt, the most important thing is helping his students accomplish their goals, no matter how big or small, while enjoying the game of pickleball.

Aaron grew up in and lives in Montclair, NJ, went to Montclair High School, and graduated from the University of Maryland. He’s a pickleball lover, 5.0+/Pro tournament player, and co-founder of Montclair Pickleball.

Aaron grew up playing tennis, began teaching at 16, and eventually started an academy in Montclair called First Serve Tennis with his good friend Matt. He thought tennis would be his main passion, but was introduced to pickleball during his freshman year of college when he met and developed a friendship with future World No. 1 pickleball player Ben Johns (who convinced him to try it).

Aaron has now coached over 2000 pickleball and tennis players of all ages and levels, and frequently competes in tournaments. He loves sharing his passion for pickleball with others, and helping players improve their game while having a great time.

Adam lives in Montclair, NJ with his wife and three kids. He played college tennis and golf at Wesleyan University, but “pickleball stole his heart”. Adam competes in tournaments at the 4.5 level and has won medals, which he proudly displays in his room.

You may also find Adam performing on stage with his twin brother as part of the comedy duo, “Stone and Stone.”

The name “Adam Stone” is actually also the name of a professional pickleball player on tour. So this Adam may not be the best pickleball player named “Adam Stone,” but he is quite confident that he is the second best pickleball player named “Adam Stone” in the WORLD!

Adams loves helping players learn the game and get better, while having LOTS of fun.

Alex grew up in Marlton, NJ, and currently lives in Hammonton, NJ. He’s a 5.0+/pro level tournament player, and absolutely lives and breathes pickleball.

Alex grew up playing a variety of sports including tennis. At 15, he began teaching tennis to kids and adults. Although his main passion was hockey, Alex always thought tennis would be the sport he would play forever…until he found pickleball.

In 2019, Alex discovered pickleball, and just like most people, was instantly hooked. He has now been teaching clinics and private/group lessons for 4+ years, and has helped 1000s of students.

For Alex, there is no greater reward then a call or text from an excited student after successfully executing a new shot, or a picture of them after winning a medal.

Julie LaBattaglia currently lives in Rutherford, NJ, and is a competitive singles and doubles player. She loves the game of pickleball, as well as helping others love it too.

Julie started off as a tennis player, and was introduced to tennis by the great Arthur Ashe during a summer clinic offered to NYC youth. After college, she became an educator in NYC/NJ for 25+ years in both public and private Montessori schools.

Julie has always promoted a healthy and fitness-conscious lifestyle which includes yoga, creative movement and running. She strongly believes that self-motivation along with a positive and encouraging environment are the keys to athletic improvement at any age.

Since retiring from the high-tech industry, Kevin found pickleball about four years ago and became instantly hooked just like millions of others. He is IPTPA certified and loves to teach and coach.

As a coach, Kevin brings his 15+ years of experience coaching youth basketball, baseball and soccer to the pickleball court, with a focus on helping players improve, little by little, while making sure they’re always having fun. His goal is to introduce pickleball to as many people as possible and share the joy of the sport.

Kevin pays very close attention to an individual’s physical abilities and specific needs so he can help them with what they need the most.

Barbara lives in Glen Rock, NJ with her pickleball-playing husband and teenage daughters. She found pickleball over 4 years ago and was immediately hooked.

Barbara loves helping new players progress through learning the fundamentals and strategies of the game. Barbara believes mastering the fundamentals of pickleball is essential to the sport, and loves seeing new players build their skills and confidence on the court while having a great time!

Leo grew up in Montclair, NJ where he served as captain and first singles for Montclair High School’s varsity tennis team. He played college tennis for Bates College, and went on to coach tennis for First Serve Tennis. He later discovered pickleball through co-founders Aaron and Matt, and now plays at the 5.0 level.

Leo is a gifted athlete, an experienced and passionate coach, and is an amazing addition to the Montclair Pickleball coaching family.

Lucia is from Verona, NJ and has been playing pickleball for over 5 years. She first played at JMU in 1995 when she & her friends wanted to try something new. She’s a tennis-lover turned pickleball-lover who still plays both regularly. She’s happily married to her Army husband and competes in tournaments at the 4.5+ level in addition to still playing USTA national tennis tournaments.

Lucia currently works as a Realtor and Real Estate Investor while also teaching pickleball. Her primary focus is for everyone to love pickleball and to connect people within the pickleball community.

Matt lives in Somerville, NJ, and is a massive sports fan. He picked up pickleball in 2023 and immediately fell in love with the sport after spending many years competing in tennis and soccer.

Matt has worked in sports media for the nearly a decade, covering major events across America and building out his own social media following.

He loves interacting with everyone in the pickleball community, especially those that are looking to up their games to the next level. Matt currently teaches clinics, leads guided drilling, and leads play with pros.

Patrick grew up and currently lives in Clifton, NJ. He grew up playing and watching tennis, tried pickleball in 2021 with his cousin, and got hooked.

He's been training with Montclair Pickleball since early 2023, and has grown his game to the 4.0+ level.

Patrick loves how pickleball can be social and competitive at the same time. He even met his girlfriend and now fiance at a pickleball open play!

Patrick currently helps coach clinics for beginner and intermediate players!

Randy is an avid pickleball player, family man, and loved Bergen County local. Randy started training with Montclair Pickleball in 2023, grew his game, and decided to come join us helping new players develop the same love for the sport that he did.

Randy lives in Wyckoff with his wife and kids, plays and trains consistently, and plans to continue training for years and years to come. Randy has an infectious personality filled with comedy, energy, and fun.

Harrison is a young, rising star pickleball player who absolutely loves the game. He has been training with Montclair Pickleball for over a year and a half, and has grown his game from just starting out and developing an interest in playing, to a 4.25+ level and one of the best high school players in the state.

Harrison helps with coaching our kids clinics, teaching them the game and trying to get them as excited about the sport as he is. Harrison is a great influence on young kids who want to learn pickleball, and loves helping young players develop and grow their games.

Matt loves pickleball and has been playing and coaching for years. He currently lives in Cream Ridge, New Jersey, but plays and competes all over the place.

Matt is an avid driller, and competes in tournaments at the 4.5+ and 5.0 level.

Matt brings a ton of energy to the court, and passion for the amazing game of pickleball. He even built a court in his own backyard!