Club Leadership
Coaching Staff
Brett Ashley
Master Pro
Bio Coming Soon...
Raj Budhu
Staff Pro
Raj Budhu is a PTR-certified tennis coach who enjoys working with players of all ages and skill levels. At Mountainside Racquet Club, he coaches in the 10 & Under Program and leads junior and adult clinics. Raj’s passion for tennis began as a member of the Montclair State University men’s tennis team, where he developed his skills and understanding of the game. He later coached at Immaculate Conception and Mount Saint Dominic High School, helping his teams grow and succeed on and off the court. His experience as both a player and coach makes him a valued member of the MRC coaching staff.
Chidi Gabriel
Elite Pro
Chidi Gabriel’s tennis journey began early, leading him to become one of the top-ranked juniors in the Eastern Section and nationally. A first-generation American raised in a Nigerian family, he competed in ITF tournaments around the world, gaining experience both on and off the court. A five-star recruit, Chidi began his collegiate career at the University of Louisville, where he helped the team win the Big East Championship. He later transferred to Florida A&M University, earning First-Team All-Conference honors for three consecutive years. In 2021, he was named to the MEAC Conference’s Top 50 All-Time list. For more than 11 years, Chidi has coached high-performance players, many of whom have gone on to compete at the Division I level. He brings a fresh perspective to player development through his interest in data science and sports analytics, along with a coaching style shaped by his diverse experiences. Chidi is passionate about helping players grow and reach their potential.
Allie Kiick
Touring Pro
Alexandra Kiick is an American tennis player who has won seven singles titles and two doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit. She reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 126 in June 2019 and peaked at No. 214 in doubles in May 2014. Allie began playing tennis at age nine, introduced to the sport by her mother, Mary, a former professional softball player. Her father, Jim Kiick, was an NFL player who won two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins. During her development at USTA, she was coached by Kathy Rinaldi and Adam Peterson. Growing up, Allie admired tennis star Kim Clijsters.
Brittany LaBruna
Staff Pro
Brittany LaBruna has been playing tennis since age three. After a successful USTA junior career, she became a four-star college recruit and played first singles all four years at William Paterson University. She finished with a 67–6 singles record, earned two All-American honors, and won the ITA Regionals twice.
Brittany was named New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Year for four consecutive years, becoming the first female student-athlete in NJAC history to earn the honor in any sport. After graduating, she served as an assistant coach at William Paterson before joining Mountainside Racquet Club full-time.
Bill Maxwell
Staff Pro
Bill is a seasoned tennis coach and instructor with over three decades of experience. His playing background includes serving as captain of the Ramapo High School boys team which won the New Jersey State All Groups championship. He then continued his playing career on the men’s team at Vanderbilt University. Bill was the regular practice partner of former world #1 ranked, and the youngest ever inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Tracy Austin. He also served as the Head Tennis Professional at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ. After a career in business, Bill returned to coaching, this time at the collegiate level-first as the assistant men’s and women’s coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University, then as the head men’s coach at Moravian University. In addition to his college coaching, and with a particular emphasis on net play, movement, and the mental side of the sport, Bill enjoys helping his private students of all ages and ability levels maximize their potential.
Ramy Rizk
Master pro
Ramy brings more than 20 years of tennis coaching experience to Mountainside Racquet Club. A former No. 1 player at MIT, he also competed on the ATP Satellite Circuit, giving him valuable experience at the collegiate and professional levels. He currently coaches players in Westfield and surrounding communities. Having worked with Steve for many years, Ramy has a strong understanding of the Director’s Tennis Systems. His passion for the game continues to shape his growth as a coach, and he enjoys sharing his knowledge and helping players improve.
Peter Wylie
Staff Pro
Mountainside Racquet Club is excited to welcome Peter Wylie as its newest coach. A former NCAA Division II collegiate player and highly competitive junior, Peter brings firsthand experience and a strong understanding of the game.
Peter has coached juniors and adults at every level, from beginners learning the fundamentals to competitive players preparing for tournaments and match play. He focuses on sound technique, consistency, accuracy, and court strategy, tailoring his instruction to each player’s goals and learning style. Peter looks forward to building relationships with MRC members and helping players grow their skills and confidence on the court.
Steve Ondish
Managing Partner & Director of Tennis
Steve Ondish, Managing Partner and Director of Tennis at MRC, is a leading figure in the world of tennis coaching. As a former top 10 USTA Eastern junior player and collegiate athlete at Temple University, Steve's passion for tennis has driven him to develop Tennis Systems, a cutting-edge approach that combines tennis-specific fitness with skill development for optimal results. With a reputation as a trailblazer in tennis instruction, Steve has trained highly ranked and blue-chip tennis recruits, producing successful athletes who have excelled at renowned universities such as Stanford, Columbia, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest. With over 35 years of coaching experience, Steve is dedicated to changing the way tennis is taught and shaping the future of the sport.
Howard Sherman
Director of Junior Dev & Elite Pro
Howard Sherman has been part of Mountainside Racquet Club since its reopening in 2015, joining as the club’s first professional hire. He has played a key role in developing MRC’s junior programs, including 10 & Under, AJP, and Junior High Performance, and coaches players of all levels.
SafePlay certified and formerly PTR certified, Howard is committed to creating a safe, supportive environment for his players. Over the years, he has helped many young athletes develop into highly ranked juniors and college recruits, including blue-chip recruit Kobe Siegle and four-star recruit Aarush Jupalli, who began their tennis journeys with him. He continues to coach standout players such as Stanford commit Mark Krupkin, Cavan Donnelly, and Rohan Kondhawekar, supporting their development on and off the court.
Bret Cadena
Club Manager & Fitness Coach
Bret has been with Mountainside Racquet Club since its beginning and brings more than 15 years of experience in sports and personal training. A former collegiate football player and protégé of an NFL strength and conditioning coach, he is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (C-PT). Bret works with the kids in MRC’s homeschool and High Performance programs and oversees the club’s day-to-day operations. He is committed to creating a welcoming, well-organized environment for MRC members, staff, and players.
Yannik Mahlangu
Director of 10U Programs & Elite Pro
Yannik Mahlangu began playing tennis at age four, hitting with his family at a local park before progressing to national tournaments. As a junior, he was ranked No. 1 in the Intermountain section across the 10-and-under through 18-and-under divisions.
Yannik played singles and doubles throughout his four years at Georgetown University, graduating in 2017. He went on to pursue a career in finance while staying connected to tennis as a player and coach. In 2021, he founded his own financial firm. Coaching has become a rewarding way for Yannik to give back to the sport that shaped his childhood, and he is excited to share his passion with players at Mountainside Racquet Club.