Meet the WSC Pickleball Pros & Staff
Bill Cranny
Pickleball Manager & Pickleball Professional
Bill Cranny
Pickleball Manager & Pickleball Professional
Bill Cranny is a registered pickleball professional passionate about teaching beginners and intermediate players. He recently competed in the World Pickleball Championships in Dallas last month alongside his sister-in-law and is a 4+ DUPR player. Before pursuing a career in pickleball, Bill utilized his degree from Marquette University and his MBA from DePaul University to work in the telecommunications industry with companies such as Motorola, AT&T, and Sprint. He has been teaching locally and believes that the key to success in pickleball is mastering the third shot drop to the opponent’s backhand. At the club since 2024
630-315-5344[email protected]
Anne Mache
Tennis & Pickleball Professional
Anne Mache
Tennis & Pickleball Professional
At the forefront of pickleball development in the Chicago area, Anne brought her pickleball experience and new found pickleball passion to the WSC in 2017. With almost 2000 Chicago-wide students under her belt she is excited to lead the charge in Intermediate and Advanced player development at the WSC Pickleball Pavilion. She is also certified in the Suzee Anderson Academy curriculum and looks forward to utilizing that program to bring the WSC pickleball community to the next level. There are always laughs to be had on the pickleball court – it’s fun & social. Anne encourages everyone to come out and give it a try! She is a PPR Certified Professional in Pickleball and member of the Wilson Advisory Staff.
630-315-5326[email protected]
Leila Kittner
Pickleball Professional
Leila Kittner
Pickleball Professional
Leila was a top junior tennis player and competed internationally before receiving a full scholarship to play Division 1 tennis at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. With the rise of pickleball in the Chicago area, she fell in love with the game and quickly became a 5.0 level player. Leila is part of the Professional Pickleball Registry’s exclusive group of pickleball coach clinicians and travels the Chicagoland area, providing pickleball coaching education and conducting coach certification workshops. She is a PPR certified professional and conducts workshops, clinics and private lessons for all levels. Leila has the expertise to take players from beginner through 4.0+ to the next level. Leila believes coaching is a privilege and she loves to help players improve their game. At the club since 2024
630-315-5344For lessons with Leila email [email protected]
Arcot Naresh
Pickleball Professional
Arcot Naresh
Pickleball Professional
Arcot loves racquet sports and transitioned from competitive table tennis to pickleball in 2022 when his wife bought a couple of paddles to do something outdoors together. Arcot was a competitive table tennis player, coach and club manager in the Chicago area for over 10 years and he developed many national and international juniors during this time. He hopes to bring his passion and experience in competitive racquet sports and developing elite players to WSC Pickleball to keep the fun going. Arcot is a Pickleball Professional Registry Certified pro and his mission is to accelerate skill development through effective techniques and drills. Whether you are in this for the fun of it, to make friends, or to take your game to the next level, he hopes to help you in your pickleball adventures. At the club since 2024
630-315-5344For lessons with Arcot, email [email protected]
Jonathan River
Pickleball Professional
Jonathan River
Pickleball Professional
Jonathan grew up in Oak Park, is a life-long tennis player and was originally a tennis professional. Six years ago he picked up a pickleball paddle and hasn’t put it down since. His enthusiasm led Jonathan to become a student of the sport, and he transferred his teaching expertise from tennis to pickleball. This also gave Jonathan a better understanding of how to coach tennis players transitioning to pickleball. He continued to study and train and eventually became a tournament player. He taught in the south suburbs prior to joining the WSC team of teaching professionals. He enjoys sharing his love for the sport, including working with both the South Suburban and Western DuPage Special Recreation Associations. He is PPR certified professional. At the club since: 2023
630-315-5326[email protected]
Susie Evangelista
Pickleball Professional
Susie Evangelista
Pickleball Professional
Susie joined the WSC staff team in 2018 at the Front Desk. She continues in that role where she enjoys meeting and greeting our fantastic members and guests. She has been playing Pickleball since 2017 and her passion for the sport continues to grow. Susie committed to sharing her love and knowledge with others and in 2023 she became a Suzee Anderson Academy Certified Pickleball Instructor as well as a PPR Certified Pickleball Professional. Susie brings enthusiasm to the court and you can join her for lessons, clinics, and valuable time on court at the WSC. At the club since: 2018
630-315-5326[email protected]
Lori Pedersen
Pickleball Instructor
Lori Pedersen
Pickleball Instructor
Lori was one of the original pickleball enthusiasts here at WSC and her desire to spread the word and help others learn the game motivated her to become a pickleball coach. She is a Suzee Anderson Academy Certified Pickleball Instructor and enjoys teaching WSC’s Pickleball 101 and 250 classes. Lori brings energy, fun and knowledge to the court and believes that EVERYONE needs to play this awesome sport! At the club since: 2023
630-315-5326[email protected]
Bill Eng
Tennis & Pickleball Professional
Bill Eng
Tennis & Pickleball Professional
Bill joins the WSC tennis team after 14 years at the Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet and Fitness Club, where he served as the league and lesson coordinator, tournament director and referee. He is an award-winning USTA official, named the CTUC 2015 Roving Official of the Year and the CTUC 2019 Chair Umpire of the Year. A lifelong learner of tennis, Bill earned the 2011 Midwest USPTA Midwest Education of the Year award. At HFR&FC, Bill specialized in teaching youth tennis, which includes 10 and under through high school players. He also teaches adult beginners through intermediates. He is a certified Cardio Tennis Instructor and is IPTPA certified Pickleball instructor. Bill received his USPTA certification in 2008 and holds a PTR Junior 10 and under certification. Bill competes in USTA tournaments and leagues and is a member of the Wilson Advisory staff. At the club since: 2021
[email protected]