Coaching Staff

MITCH HENKIN- President
Mitch, founder of TenniStar, has been a tennis teaching professional in the Washington area for over 50 years. He oversees the tennis programs at Onelife Fitness in Bethesda, MD, as well as the tennis and pickleball programs at the Promenade Activities Center, also in Bethesda, MD. He has been certified by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) since 1972. Mitch graduated from Northwestern University and received a Master's Degree in science journalism from Boston University. He was a part-time sports writer for The Washington Post for five years and published books on ice hockey and racquetball. Mitch initiated or developed summer tennis and sports-camp programs at dozens of locations in the Washington metropolitan area. Mitch has taught thousands of area tennis players and focuses on developing talented players of all ages and abilities. 

RENA SHI- Head Pro and Director of Tennis at Onelife Fitness Bethesda
Rena is the tennis director at Onelife Fitness Bethesda and directs its summer tennis camp. Rena attended the University of Maryland where she qualified for Nationals with her club team in 2013. She graduated from UMD with a bachelors degree in kinesiology. Rena has ample experience working with juniors and adults and is PTR certified. Throughout her years of coaching, she has worked at the College Park Tennis Club, St. Alban's Tennis Club, Four Seasons Tennis Club as well as at tennis clubs in Perth, Australia. 

RICH DUNNE- Staff Professional
Rich played singles and doubles at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and was a member of their 1985 NCAA Division III Championship team. He joined our staff in January 2018 and is currently one of the lead tennis instructors at Onelife Fitness Bethesda. Rich was a Sports Producer in the Washington, D.C., market for over 25 years, first with WRC-TV/The George Michael Sports Machine followed by WTTG-TV/Fox 5. Rich has boundless enthusiasm on the court and has worked with players of all skill levels.

ANTONIO "PAULO" COSTA- Staff Professional  

Paulo is the B-CC boys head varsity tennis coach. He has worked with TenniStar at Onelife Bethesda since 2023. From 1988-92, he was the assistant coach at American University and won the intramural tournament every semester for the four years attended. He will be the assistant director for the TenniStar summer camp at Onelife. In addition, Paulo will offer group and private lessons in pickleball at the Promenade, also in Bethesda.

CYRUS SAMET- Staff Professional  

Cyrus has a Doctorate degree in pharmacy from the University of Maryland and is a USTA-certified tennis coach and pickleball instructor. Cyrus' uncle, a tennis pro in Iran, encouraged him to choose tennis as his favorite sport. Cyrus coaches both of his kids during high school and helped them thrive in the sport competitively. Cyrus currently teaches at the Promenade and at several locations in Northern Virginia. He joined the TenniStar staff in 2023 and has taught children and adults with great success.

JOSIAH MEEKINS- Staff Professional  

Josiah received a Bachelor's degree in political science from Goucher College. Coming from Trenton, N.J., Josiah was awarded an athletic scholarship, marking the beginning of his tennis career. Josiah's dedication to the game reached its pinnacle during college, where he clinched an impressive four NCAA Landmark Conference tennis championships and was honored with the NCAA Sportsmanship Award. Josiah made a significant impact working at the National Junior Tennis League of Learning in Trenton, where he played a pivotal role in nurturing both academic and athletic excellence in children and adults through tennis.

MIKE SMITH- Staff Professional  

Mike assists Mitch Henkin during private and group lessons. He went to Blessed Sacrament and St. John's College High School, where he played varsity basketball. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in business marketing. He grew up playing and teaching tennis at the Lafayette playground and coached CYO basketball at Blessed Sacrament. Mike is very positive and encouraging with the students, and he imparts his passion for the sport to all. 

Administrative Staff

ALLISON DIAZ- Administrative Support
Allison received her BS in kinesiology from UMD and continued her education at GW, where she graduated with an MS in exercise science, clinical exercise physiology. She uses her knowledge of movement and physiology to develop complete fitness programs for athletes. Allison is the varsity head coach for the St. John's CHS girls soccer program, which won the WCAC Championship and DCSAA state title in 2017.

CAY MILLER- Administrative Support
Cay has been the varsity field hockey coach at Churchill High School in Potomac, MD, since 2010. In the 2016-2023 seasons, she led her team to seven consecutive regional championships. She was named Outstanding Field Hockey Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2021 by the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. She graduated with a B.A. in linguistics in 2003 and received a Master's in education from GW in 2009. In 2005, Cay became the first field hockey player to be inducted into the Churchill Sports Hall of Fame. She teaches English for Speakers of Other Languages at Wheaton Woods Elementary School in Rockville, MD, achieved National Board Certification in 2013, was named MCPS ELD Teacher of the Year and was the MCPS finalist for The Washington Post Teacher of the Year in 2021.