The Team
Criss Rodriguez "Coach Criss"
Founder
Head Coach Adult Program-Tennis and Pickleball
Player Development Coach (Junior and Adult)-Tennis and Pickleball
Playing Experience: Coach Criss, originally from Cuba, was a distinguished member of the Cuban Junior National Tennis Team from the age of 12. Coach Criss trained under a rigorous curriculum designed for elite athletes and prospective Federation Cup competitors. As a junior she was ranked top 60 in California. Coach Criss continued her tennis career at the collegiate level competing in Division I tennis at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
Coaching Experience: With a decade of professional coaching experience in Los Angeles, CA, Coach Criss has made a significant impact in the tennis community. Her coaching career began at Harvard-Westlake High School, a college-preparatory institution, where she guided the team to the CIF finals for two consecutive years. Currently, she serves as the Head Coach for the Calabasas High School girls' tennis program where under her leadership, Coach Criss led the team to the finals of the 2023 CIF Southern Section Division II Championship where they won 2nd place - an accomplishment that the Calabasas program has not achieved in over 25 years!
As a forehand mechanics and doubles strategy specialist, Coach Criss consistently brings her expertise in this critical skillset to daily private lessons, adult level-based live-ball clinics, and tennis development classes. Coaching adults and juniors of varying levels from beginners to high-performance athletes, ranging from state sectionals to national level juniors and USTA competing adults continues to be one of Coach Criss's greatest joys.
Coach Cris's favorite tennis players are Kim Clijsters, Roger Federer, Victoria Azarenka and Rafael Nadal.
Josh Wiseman "Coach Josh"
Head of Junior Player Development-Tennis
Playing Experience: Coach Josh played his junior career in Texas. He was ranked as high as top 20 in the state. His strengths were his serve, forehand, and transition/net game. Coach Josh played college tennis at Trinity University (Division III) in San Antonio, Tx. He was ranked as high as top 20 in the country in doubles.
Coaching Experience: Coach Josh has been a tennis teaching professional for over 20 years in Southern California. He has facilitated high performance tennis academies at Mountaingate Country Club in Los Angeles and also was the tennis coach for Harvard-Westlake Middle School and UCLA tennis camps. Coach Josh has contributed to helping many athletes at all levels ranging from USTA sectional and national level juniors to NCAA Division I, II & III athletes to Challenger and ATP tour level professionals.
Coach Josh is currently the Head Coach for the boys tennis program at Calabasas High School. One of Coach Josh’s highlights was capturing the 2019 CIF Southern Section title for Calabasas high school boys tennis team. Coach Josh enjoys developing junior tennis players from all levels and has a passion for the sport of tennis.
Coach Josh's favorite tennis players are Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Stefan Edberg & Jannik Sinner.
Sammer Garcia "Coach Sam"
Player Development Coach-Tennis
Movement & Footwork Coach
Playing Experience: Coach Sammer Aziz began playing tennis at the age of seven when he was introduced to the sport by his dad. His high level of passion for the sport brought him early success being ranked as high as number one in the Caribbean. He continued his junior success in the So Cal region by consistently being a top fifty ranked player.
Sammer played varsity tennis for Santa Barbara High School, who at the time had a top ten tennis program in the country. By his sophomore year he was a starter and helped lead the team to CIF final. Some of his junior accolades include a Rose Bowl Title, a top junior ranking of #24, and receiving a scholarship to train at the Sanchez Casal Tennis Academy in Florida. After high school, Sammer pursued his dream of playing professional tennis. He played on the tour for a year and participated in many future and satellite events.
Coaching Experience: Sammer has experience working with people from all ends of the spectrum in terms of age and ability. He’s been a hitting partner for top college players, has trained high school players and enjoys giving lessons to seniors and kids. He is currently the associate head coach for the boys and girls tennis programs at Calabasas High School.