Meet Our Coaches
Don Alto
Program Director & Coach
Gee Gee Garvin
Coach
Hank Smith
Coach
Rodrigo Grajales
Coach
Chandra McAtee
Coach
Don Alto
Program Director & Coach
Don Alto brings world-class experience and a dynamic energy to Rally House as our Program Director. A former U.S. Table Tennis team member and elite international competitor, Don knows what it takes to excel at the highest levels of sport. After transitioning to pickleball, he quickly rose through the ranks, earning a DUPR 5.5+ rating and competing in APP and PPA Men’s Pro divisions.
Don designs and manages all Rally House programming—including clinics, leagues, live ball sessions, open play formats, and coach training. He’s passionate about building a vibrant community, creating opportunities for every level of player to grow, and delivering fresh, exciting formats that keep the game fun, social, and competitive.
Whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or training for your next tournament, Don’s vision and leadership are shaping Rally House into the place to play in North County.
Gee Gee Garvin
Coach
With a diverse and elite background as both a player and coach in tennis and pickleball, Gee Gee brings a truly game changing perspective to the court. A former top Division I collegiate tennis player at BYU and UNLV and an ITF World Tennis Champion, Gee Gee has built a coaching foundation rooted in high-performance training and championship-level experience.
In pickleball, her accomplishments speak for themselves:
2-time US Open Gold Medalist • Canadian National Champion • Multi-time USAP Nationals medalist • Tournament of Champions medalist • Hawaii Open, and SoCal Classic medalist.
Gee Gee delivers coaching that goes far beyond drills. Her training transforms mindsets, sharpens fundamentals, and develops elite-level technique, skills, and strategic play that elevate players at every level.
Join Gee Gee to experience truly next level coaching through private lessons, group lessons, clinics, specialty training sessions, and Live Ball.
Hank Smith
Coach
Hank found pickleball through social play, but what started as casually playing the game quickly turned into a full-blown passion. With his incredible energy and natural ability to connect with people, Hank has become a favorite at Rally House in no time. He works with beginners through strong intermediate players, focusing on rock-solid fundamentals, smart shot selection, and high-percentage strategy that builds real confidence on the court. Just as important, Hank emphasizes mindset — helping players stay composed, competitive, and resilient. His favorite part of coaching? Watching players level up, believe in themselves, and genuinely love the game.
Rodrigo Grajales
Coach
Rodrigo Grajales is a high-level competitor and dynamic coach who brings elite playing experience and passion to the court. After transitioning from an international tennis career, where he competed in ITF tournaments, Rodrigo made an immediate impact in the world of professional pickleball with his powerful game and sharp court awareness.
As a certified coach through Pickleball Coaching International (PCI), Rodrigo specializes in helping players elevate their skills through high-intensity, focused training. Whether you’re looking to refine your technique, improve your strategy, or train like a pro, Rodrigo brings energy, precision, and a player-first approach to every session.
Chandra McAtee
Coach
Chandra brings over 20 years of coaching experience and a 4.0+ competitive rating to Rally House, delivering high-level instruction with contagious energy and a supportive, empowering style. She leads our junior programs and is the Founder & CEO of Superatio, a nonprofit dedicated to using pickleball to teach resilience and life skills to at-risk youth through structured clinics and leagues. Chandra also works with beginner and intermediate adults, focusing on fundamentals, strategy, and confidence-building in a fun, encouraging environment. For her, pickleball is more than a game — it’s a platform for growth, resilience, and connection.