ABOUT
Alexander MacKellar and Keeley Phillips (both former collegiate players with over 17 years of combined coaching) founded the Mack Phillips Tennis Academy in 2019. We offer a tennis experience catering to all age and skill levels. We look forward to sharing our passion and knowledge of the sport with you!
Keeley Phillips
Head Coach
Coach Keeley has been playing tennis seriously for over 8 years and coaching for over 7 years. She attended Cedar Ridge High School where she was awarded team MVP and played #1 mixed doubles. After High School she continued her playing career as a member of the women’s tennis team at Concordia University Texas. She graduated in 2020 with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Kinesiology. Coach Keeley’s favorite things about tennis are its ability to bring communities and families together, and the fact that it is a lifelong sport! Her coaching approach is very tailored to the player and their goals; however, she is a firm believer in creating strong fundamentals to prevent injury and allow players to reach their full potential. She has experience working with kids ages 2 all the way to seniors and all skill levels. When she is not on the court, she enjoys running, baking, DIY projects and spending time with her family.
Alexander Mackellar
Head Coach
Coach Alex began playing tennis at age 11 and has been coaching tennis for over 10 years. He attended Belton High School and was a member of their varsity tennis team. After High School, he joined the United States Navy. He spent 2 years in Washington D.C. at the Nation’s capital as a Ceremonial Guardsman. Then, he spent his last 2 years stationed in Bahrain. After the service, he attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor where he was a member of the tennis team and graduated in 2019. After graduating, he knew he wanted to follow his passion, tennis, and has been coaching full time ever since. Coach Alex’s coaching style is always adapted to the individual to best suit their needs and goals.
Jacob Stein
Coach
Coach Jacob started playing tennis 7 years ago. He was on his high schools varsity team all four years and captain the last two. During his junior and senior seasons his team won districts undefeated and were regional finalists. He was a super champ in the state of Texas for 14s and 16s. Currently he attends The University of Texas at Austin where he plays for the schools club team. His favorite players on tour are Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams because of how fundamentally sound and mentally tough they are. At UT he double majors in Architecture and Architectural Engineering and plans to graduate in 2026. Jacob has coached from juniors all the way up to varsity level and loves teaching fundamentals, strategy, and movement. He looks forward to meeting new players of all levels and ages and to giving back the gift of tennis that has remained in his life for so long.
Will Cheung
Coach
Coach Will started playing tennis his sophomore year of high school where he fell in love with the sport. With a driving passion to improve, he worked tirelessly on and off court to enhance his game. He continued his career as a member of the men's division 3 tennis team at Rutgers University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics. During his time in college, Will coached at summer camps for 3 years and worked with individuals throughout all age groups and different skill levels. Will's focus is on building a solid foundation, proper footwork and technique so that individuals can leverage in their future games/matches.
Coach Sarah
Coach
Coach Sarah Sedory (likes to be called Sedory) has been playing tennis since she was 8 years old and has been coaching tennis for the past ten years. She graduated from H.M. King HS in Kingsville TX, where she played varsity tennis all four years. Afterwards, she played competitively in college for all four years at the University of Mary Hardin- Baylor and became a graduate assistant coach for one year during her masters program. During her time in Belton, Sedory coached at the University of Texas Longhorn Tennis Camp for 5 years. After graduating from graduate school, Sedory worked at South Belton M.S for one year and then transferred to Kaufman to work at the middle school as a communications teacher and tennis coach. There she coached not only middle school but also high school tennis. The past year she helped coach the varsity team to state for 4A Team Tennis and spring individual. Currently, she works at Active Sports Therapy in Round Rock as the office manager, but still wants to spread her passion of tennis through coaching. Sedory’s coaching goal is to inspire players to love the sport first and then do what it takes to help each player succeed. She enjoys, and is qualified to work with players of all ages and skill levels. She can’t wait to meet you on the court!
Jacob Lawrence
Coach
Jacob started playing tennis when he was in 6th grade. He was a member of his high school team where he was awarded 2nd place in district for doubles his senior year and 3rd in 5A regionals (lost regionals to the eventual 5A state winners). Jacob's favorite tennis players include: Federer for his mental game, Thiem for his clean strokes and Feliciano Lopez for his serve, volleys and heart, and Kyrgios for his talent and fire. Coach Jacob has experience coaching kids ages 5 all the way to adults. He is currently attending The University of Texas where he will graduate in May 2022 with a BSN and hopes to eventually become a CRNA.
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Austin Chumley
Coach
Coach Austin (or Coach Chum) started playing tennis at age 5, became the top ranked 10 and 12 year old junior player in Arkansas, and traveled across the South competing in tournaments until age 13. He rekindled his love for tennis in 2020 and has been playing and coaching ever since. Coach Austin graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2019 (Go Hogs) with a Biochemistry Degree. He has a black lab named Bug who is a ball of energy and loves to help pick up tennis balls. Coach Austin played all sports growing up and fully believes that tennis is a lifetime sport; once you develop the skills, they stay with you for life! Coach Austin adapts his coaching strategy to each student individually, helping them achieve their tennis goals. Austin is a sports fanatic, loves skiing and making espresso at home, and competes in triathlons when he is not coaching.
Chris Popso
Coach
Chris started playing tennis his freshman year of high school where he played 1st singles. After High School he continued his playing career as a member of the men’s division 1 tennis team at Rider University where he claimed 1st singles and doubles as a walk on his freshman year. He graduated in 2017 with a major in Finance with a minor in economics and currently works in asset management. Chris’s focus is on proper technique, situational awareness, and building a strong mental game translating into better match results. If you’re passionate about the game and want to develop, I’m your guy! When not on the court, he enjoys reading historical non-fiction, cooking, and anything outdoors.
Adrienne Tran
Coach
Coach Adrienne started playing tennis in elementary school. She has experience coaching in both the private and group setting as well as a mentoring students on her old high school tennis team; both of which allowed her to work with players of all age and skill levels. Coach Adrienne believes in creating a fun and positive learning environment where players can find passion for the game of tennis. She went to Cedar Ridge High School where she played on the tennis team all four years and placed 3rd in districts for girl’s doubles. Following high school, Adrienne attended the University of Texas at Austin where she was an intramural tennis champion for girl’s doubles. In May 2021, she graduated from UT with a Bachelor of Science in biology and is now studying to take her MCAT with hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatrics. Adrienne currently works as a tennis coach, pharmacy technician at CVS, and medical scribe.
John Garza
Coach
Coach John started playing tennis as a junior in high school and was on varsity both years that he played- he even reached a Champs rating in 18s. He has taught both private and group lessons for 4-5 years off and on in Lubbock and San Antonio. He believes in a positive, upbeat teaching style that focuses on proper technique and the etiquette of the sport. John is currently employed by the State of Texas as a data analyst. He believes Tennis is a lifetime sport that can be enjoyed at all ages and is excited to help you learn the game or improve to a level you enjoy playing at.
Adam Grocholski
Coach
Coach Adam began playing tennis at the age of 10 and has since never been one to stray away from the court. He attended Pampa High School being a member of their varsity team all four years with the title of captain bestowed upon him senior year. With a specialty in doubles, Adam was awarded regional champions 4A junior year and state runner up in 2018, followed by 2nd in regionals and state runner up again in 2019. Currently, Adam plays club tennis for the University of Texas at Austin as the number 1 mixed team on the ladder and is an off the court officer for the 2022-23 year. Adam looks forward to meeting and teaching players of all skills and ages with a hope that they grow not only their skill level but their passion and love as well for the game.
Jacob Galindo
Coach
Coach Jacob Galindo (Prefers to be called “Coach Jake from StateFarm”). Has been playing tennis for 12 years with his tennis career starting in middle school 7th grade. Some tennis career highlights included being on varsity all 4yrs for H.M King HS in Kingsville, Tx. Where he achieved honorable mention for being the first athlete in school history to make it to state in singles. He played collegiate tennis for Texas Lutheran University where he played line #1 Doubles & #2 singles. Coach Jake has been coaching for 9yrs, which included coaching at the University of Texas Tennis Camp for 2 yrs and coaching at various Country Clubs in the texas area. All ages and skill are very much welcomed as there is no age that cannot be taught, tennis is a game once you know it you don’t forget it. His coaching style includes lots of FUN while learning and enjoying the game. Some of Coach Jakes hobbies includes being a Car Enthusiast and Explorer of Nature
Jonathan Darnell
Coach
Jonathan Darnell started playing competitive tennis in the 7th grade but has been playing for over 30 years. He was introduced to the sport at a very young age since his mother was a tennis coach. He played doubles throughout High School and was a 4-year MVP for the varsity team. He has multiple years of coaching experience with middle school- high school players for multiple different school districts. He has also hosted and led yearly summer camps for players ranging from 1st grade through high schoolers. He has been coaching tennis in some capacity for over 18 years.
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Shar Huq
Coach
Coach Huq (pronounced Hawk) has been playing competitively since he was 12. After playing for the Varsity team for Bowie HS (winning a CATA team MVP award) and on the club team at UT Austin, he's now coaching at Crockett HS in South Austin and teaching Algebra I and II. He specializes in doubles, playing on the Austin city ladder, and wants to continue his study/passion of the game for life. He is ranked in the top 100 globally in "1920's tennis" and will school you in Mario, Wii or any other tennis game (including Prince of Tennis trivia). Friends mention that he can identify people on court from great distances by their playstyle or the gear they are using.