UTA Partner

David Stolle

David is a founding partner at UTA and is originally from Sudbury, Massachusetts. He helps organize the programs at Chastain Tennis Center, GSU Dunwoody and James Creek Tennis Center. David earned his bachelors in psychology with a religious studies minor from the University of Virginia. He is a former number #1 singles player for the Cavaliers and was USTA/Georgia’s Junior Coach of the Year in 2002.

In addition to assisting with the tennis programs at Chastain Park, GSU Dunwoody and James Creek, David manages the UTA College Placement Program which helps connect UTA tournament players with universities. David also leads the UTA involvement in ‘Serve and Connect’ which offers free tennis classes Friday afternoons in the Fall and Spring to the students of Washington Park Tennis Center.

David and his wife Ashley, have been blessed with three energetic children: Livi, Kate, and Lex.

Work in the Community:
– Current AYTEF Board Member. Coordinated several teach-a-thons with over 75 coaches to help raise funds for AYTEF and Chattahoochee Foundation.
– Dreammakers: 3-year volunteer of free clinics to kids
– Helped create Serve and Connect program at Washington Park
– Helped organize a clothing and equipment drive for students of Washington Park. Over 700 articles of new to slightly used clothes/equipment have been distributed over the past 8 years.
– Worked with over 200 student-athletes find a college team/scholarship opportunity

Director of Tennis

Casey Ragsdale McAfee

Casey was one of the top junior players in Mississippi and was a 3-time recipient of the Most Valuable Player award while attending Birmingham Southern. She was the team captain and named to the Big South All-Conference Team. She also was named to the Big South Academic Honor Roll and received the Johnny Johnston Most Inspirational Athlete of the Year for all sports during her senior year.  Casey graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education.

Prior to joining UTA Casey taught tennis at the River Hills Club in Jackson, MS. from 2007-2009. Casey helps direct our junior program and summer camps at UTA. Casey has been very active in the UTA community outreach programs.  She regularly assists with the Serve and Connect program at Washington Park Tennis Center which brings youth and law enforcement together through tennis. She has been an active volunteer in teaching tennis to the students at the Ron Clark Academy and she has also been the director for the Georgia Tennis Special Olympics.

Casey comes from a long line of tennis pros including her brother, dad, and uncle! When she isn’t teaching tennis, she enjoys time with friends, family, and playing golf!

Director of Tennis

Ross Beall

Ross, who is from Roswell, GA, started working with UTA while still in high school serving as a junior professional at Chattahoochee Plantation Tennis Club. Upon graduation, Ross received a scholarship to play at Oglethorpe University. While attending Oglethorpe, he was a 4-year starter and served as team captain.

Ross graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration/Economics and was voted Male Scholar Athlete of the Year in both 2010 and 2011. He also made the SCAC All-Academic Team all four years while at Oglethorpe.

Ross is a conditioning nut and works out with weights, cycles, runs, and participates in fitness competitions. He loves playing in any outdoor sports and enjoys watching college football, college basketball, and any Georgia Tech sports teams!

Tennis Professional

Ashlea Bowen Neal

Ashlea, who is from Snellville, GA, was a top 100 nationally ranked junior as well as a 5A state champion. She attended Clemson University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies with a Minor in French. She has earned her Professional Level USPTR certification and has been coaching over ten years.

Ashlea’s husband Nick was also a collegiate tennis player.  They have a son, North, and daughter, Hope – both are already on the courts!

Tennis Professional

Erica Zabkar

Erica, who is from Roswell, Georgia, is a former student at Universal Tennis Academy. She played collegiately for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she earned First Team All Southern Conference honors. As an assistant Women’s Tennis Coach at UNCG, Erica helped guide the Spartans to a Southern Conference regular-season championship in 2012. She won the 2012 ITA Carolinas Assistant Coach of the Year award. While continuing her master’s degree, Erica worked with juniors at Green Valley Swim & Tennis Club in Greensboro, NC.

Erica earned a Master’s (2011) and Bachelor’s (2008) of Science in Kinesiology from the UNCG. She completed Master’s of Science in Athletic Training from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) in May 2014. She is currently a certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer. Erica enjoys working with players of all ages and abilities.

Tennis Professional

Kelly Henderson

Kelly began playing tennis at age 5 under the instruction of his father who is a former college player. Kelly moved to Atlanta in 2004 to become a tennis instructor. He has led many ALTA & USTA teams to playoffs, City Finals, and City Championships. He enjoys working with adults as well as junior players.

When Kelly is not playing tennis, he enjoys cooking, DJ’ing, and spending time with his lovely wife Leah.

Tennis Professional

Lamar Scott

Lamar played tennis as a junior in Augusta, GA and then Nashville, Tennessee. He was ranked as a junior in Tennessee before playing for Dillard University. He was captain of both his high school and college teams. After earning a BA in Communications and English at Dillard University Lamar received his MPA in Human Resource Management at Clark Atlanta University.

Lamar has a “professional” Certification with the Profession Tennis Registry (PTR). Lamar serves on the executive side of ALTA and is the Overall Coordinator for the AA and A level of Men’s ALTA. Lamar received the 2017 Iberia Bank Tennis Professional of the Year award from USTA Georgia as well as the 2017 USTA Southern Tennis Professional of the Year award. In addition, Lamar received the PTR Volunteer of the Year award in February 2018.

Along with tennis Lamar enjoys golf, travel, exercise, and of course the Atlanta Falcons! In August 2017, the National Football League selected Lamar to be featured in an episode of Tackle My Ride, a television show that salutes a deserving fan who has demonstrated outstanding community service!

UTA Director

Marcelo Ferreira

Marcelo is a Brazilian native who graduated from Georgia College & State University (GCSU) in 2006 with a Physical Education degree with a minor in Health Education. He was a three-year letter winner, earning Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll status every season. After graduating from GCSU, Marcelo served as assistant coach for both Men’s and Women’s tennis programs.

Marcelo later earned his Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Exercise Science and Sports Management from Texas Tech. He spent five seasons at Texas Tech University as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach during the 2012-2013 season. He was twice named the ITA Texas Region Assistant Coach of the Year. Under Marcelo’s leadership, his team made five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2008 to 2012 and his teams finished ranked in the ITA top 25 an unprecedented four times. Marcelo also led a double team to the finals of the NCAA Doubles Championship (2012).

Marcelo was hired in 2013 as Pepperdine Men’s Tennis Head Coach. He helped lead rising senior Alex Sarkissian (former top 150 ATP)) become the third player in program history to reach the finals of the NCAA Singles Championship (2013).

When not on the courts he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jesse. Marcelo has worked with high-level players the last 15 years but loves working with everyone and all levels!

Tennis Professional

Ornella Di Salvo

Ornella, who is from Cordoba, Argentina, played in numerous ITF junior tournaments throughout South America including Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. She attended Austin Peay State University where she earned a degree in business administration with concentrations in international management, marketing and a minor in finance. Ornella was 2-time ALL-OVC Conference Player of the Year; 2-time MVP at Austin Peay; 1-time Most Improved Player of the Year; and 1-time OVC Conference Adidas Player of the Week.

Prior to joining the UTA team, Ornella coached at the Summit Chase Country Club. She was also the assistant men’s and women’s coach at TWU in 2016. Her sister who is also a tennis player was 2-time NAIA national champion. Ornella enjoys spending time with my family, shopping, listening to music and traveling.

Tennis Professional

Pete Nguyen

Originally from Long Beach, California, Pete moved to the Peach State at the age of 13. He is certified by the USPTA as an Elite Professional Coach. He was on a tennis scholarship to Young Harris College, but it was cut short due to a shoulder injury. He was undefeated (1-0)! After transferring, he attended Clayton State University and graduated with a degree in Sociology.

Pete was Head Professional at Eagles Landing Country Club, then Metairie Country Club in Louisiana. While in New Orleans, he was also the Head Coach for both boys and girls at Isidore Newman where boys were Metro Champs in 2014 & ‘15 and girls in 2015.

In his free time, he enjoys playing poker, bowling, crocheting and a little golf.

Tennis Professional

Sarah Perrin

Sarah grew up in Dublin, Georgia, where she started playing tennis at 8 years old. She competed in junior tournaments through high school and now plays on several ALTA and USTA teams.

She attended Kennesaw State University and graduated with a marketing degree. When Sarah is not coaching, she enjoys beach time on St Simons Island.

She has experience coaching children of all ages and levels.

Tennis Professional

Shannon Calder

Shannon Calder hails from Auckland, New Zealand. He attended Auckland University to study law but left after two years. Shannon has 20+ years of playing experience and has coached for two years. He is USPTR certified.

Shannon is a business owner with AnoLIST (testing mechanic honesty). When not teaching of the courts, Shannon enjoys motor racing. He has three sisters and two brothers.

Shannon will be on the courts at Chastain Park Tennis Center working with all ages and abilities.

Tennis Professional

Trey Walston

Trey grew up in Birmingham, AL where he played state, sectional, and national tournaments from the age of 11. He attended the University of Alabama and was a member of the tennis team for four years.  Trey was team captain for his junior an senior years. While in school Trey was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee as well as on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Trey graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics. He is PTR certified and works with children and adults of all levels.

When not on the tennis court, Trey is an avid traveler and enjoys playing golf and guitar.