OUR TEAM OF Tennis PROS IS SECOND TO NONE

Each one was chosen based on their proficiency in instruction, their level of play and their enthusiasm for the game.

Lucie Langenkamp
Director of Tennis

Lucie Langenkamp was a phenomenal player who grew up playing tennis in the Czech Republic, one of Europe’s top tennis cultures. Like many of us who join a sport because of a parent's or sibling's interest in that sport, Lucie was inspired to try tennis after watching her mother play it for fun. She fell in love with tennis and stuck with it. Over years of training, Lucie developed a grinders game and became known as the “Czech Nadal.” On clay, you had to be willing to run a marathon to have a shot at beating her. Some of her highlights include reaching the top 650 WTA in doubles, winning against a 180-ranked WTA player, and winning an ITF pro circuit tournament. She also played on a full scholarship at an NAIA college team and won the doubles national championship. Working with her college coaches, Lucie evolved her game to adapt to the faster hard court surface -- she learned to play more aggressively and to take advantage of the speed and tempo of hard courts.

Lucie's game always improved regardless of where she trained. Her mentality was to keep an open mind, learn, and work hard. This mindset works anywhere and her understanding of the right training mindset helps students become better players and overcome and the ups and downs of tennis. Lucie's experience and wisdom are perfect for students at the Fairfield Tennis Club because she can lead students and coaches to a visible path toward success. Tennis is a challenging sport and Lucie is the kind of guide who knows that you can become a great player and enjoy tennis through those challenges. Her mantra is to inspire people to love tennis even after they show signs of frustration. Getting good at tennis "starts with the joy of playing" and her mission has always been to help students find that joy. 

Lucie earned her dual-graduate degrees in sports psychology and recreational management while working as an assistant tennis coach for the women's team at Illinois State. Her advanced education in sports psychology complements her coaching and playing experience. Tennis requires the development of a strong mind and control over emotions when things don't go your way -- her expertise guides players to develop the mindset to succeed in this sport. The knowledge she gives helps students and coaches above and beyond what one could expect at tennis clubs. 

Lucie's vision is unique and her belief in people’s ability to enjoy and learn is a valuable source of strength you won’t find just anywhere. She is driven to make each player better and believes “anybody can make it in the game.” Lucie has many tools and vast knowledge of drills and training strategies. But Lucie does not stop herself there, she continues to evolve her teachings by listening to other coaches and experts who share their knowledge with her. 

The Director continues to play for fun and competes in mixed-doubles tournaments with her husband, a former Division I player. They recently reached the finals in The Battle of the Pros. Lucie will always love tennis with a passion: “Tennis is a sport for life.”

Mitch Cravens
Tennis Professional

Mitch brings over 30 years of teaching and management experience at tennis facilities throughout Fairfield County and Westchester County. This included the position as Head Tennis Professional at Fairfield Beach Club for 11 years in the summer months, Head Tennis Professional at Brooklawn Country Club for the last 15 years and Director of Tennis from 1991-2000 at Fairfield Indoor Tennis. For 7 years during the winter months, Mitch was the General Manager at Yonkers Tennis Center. He is fully certified with the U.S.P.T.R. While playing Division I collegiate tennis at Furman University he received a B.A. in Spanish. As a junior, he was ranked in the top 15 in the Eastern and New England sections.

Michael Kember
Tennis Professional

Michael is in his 15th year at Fairfield and brings over 20 years of teaching experience to players from red ball to the professional level. Michael has 15 years of Director experience including being the Tennis Director of Fairfield Tennis from 2014-2017 as well as the Director of Tennis at Brae Burn Country Club from 2006-2009. In 2010 Michael became the Director of Racquets at Birchwood Country Club in Westport, where he currently teaches tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis.

A tournament tested player, Michael played professional tournaments for 6 years, as well as earning All American honors at Washington College in Maryland, including two NCAA National Championships and induction in to the Washington College Hall of Fame. He also achieved top 3 Sectional and State rankings in Florida and the Mid-Atlantic as well as top 10 junior ranking in his native New Zealand. His teaching background includes working with touring pros, NCAA national champions, nationally ranked juniors, and state high school champions. He also enjoys working with beginners through the most experienced tournament player and every level in-between.

Andy Vonderheyde
Tennis Professional

Born in Oakland, California, Andy earned a BA Degree in Music from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he was captain of the tennis team and played #1. A certified instructor for over 32 years, he has taught at the Country Club of Fairfield, The Patterson Club, The Westport Tennis Club, Aspetuck Country Club, and Long Ridge Club in Stamford. He is currently teaching summers at Black Rock Yacht Club. He enjoys working with juniors because he gets a kick out of “seeing them improve and growing to love the game.” Andy seeks the water when not on the courts, finding time for windsurfing and sailing.

Romain Boissinot
Tennis Professional

Romain comes from France but more recently from Northwest Missouri State University. Romain had a successful collegiate career as a Bearcats reaching the top 30 singles and winning an ITA regional championship in singles. He was also MIAA Freshman of year, Player of the year and Senior of the year and helped the team reached the top eight in division 2 in two different occasions. After his time as a player, he was named assistant coach for Northwest Missouri State University which he helped reach the top 8 while completing his master’s degree in business administration.

Romain is passionate about tennis and enjoys working with adults and juniors of all levels.

Glenny Hay
Tennis Professional

Born and raised in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Glenny Hay was a scholarship player for Shorter University. Glenny was an NAIA All-American player, NAIA “Best Athlete to Watch” her freshman year, a 2003 Regional title, and a No. 3 ranking in singles as well as a No. 4 ranking in doubles. She also represented the Dominican Republic at the Pan-American Games, Centro-American Games and was a member of the Dominican Fed-Cup Team. As a Shorter University’s Hall of Fame inductee, Glenny has worked at Fairfield University as the Women and Men Assistant Coach for two seasons in which both teams reached the NCAA Tournament. Glenny currently works at the Fairfield Beach Club and is excited to work with adults and children of all levels. Glenny has now been teaching for 13 years and was just recently inducted to the Hall of Fame of her hometown San Pedro de Macoris.

Kate Avram Tennis Professional

Kate was born in Ukraine, and received her education at Northwestern State and Cleveland State University while helping both teams reach the finals of their conferences. Kate was a part of a Division I team for five years while being a scholar-athlete, member of the President’s List every semester of education, and part of multiple committees in college. She had 63 Singles wins and 71 Doubles wins in her 5-year career while setting the record at CSU with the most singles wins in a season with 27 wins and being named a Horizon League Doubles and Singles Player of the Week multiple times. Kate has completed her Bachelor’s of Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration degrees. She has coached summer junior camps while at college and back in Ukraine, and is enthusiastic about teaching tennis to people of all ages and levels.

Rafael Rufato Tennis Professional

Originally, from Penapolis, São Paulo, Brazil, Rafael trained as a junior under Carlos Kirmayr, a former top ATP player. While at his academy Rafael transition from player to coach, as an assistant coach in Winter and Summer clinics in Serra Negra, Brazil where academy is located. In 2017 Rafael moved to Bloomsburg, PA began playing NCAA Division II tennis at Bloomsburg University for two years. In 2019 Rafael moved to University of West Florida located in Pensacola, FL to finish his degree in Economics.

Rafael loves to teach and enjoys bringing creativity and enthusiasm to the court along with his years of experience acquired through his own personal tennis journey. 

Karolina Silwanowicz Tennis Professional

A native of Bialystok, Poland, Karolina Silwanowicz has had an impressive tennis career. In 2013, Karolina was ranked #3 in Poland in the 16 & Under division and the winner of the Polish Doubles Championships. In 2015, she was ranked #299 by the International Tennis Federation (Juniors) and #1112 in Doubles by the Women’s Tennis Association. Karolina recently graduated with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Minor in Business and Sport Management from the University of West Florida, where she received a full athletic D2 (tennis) scholarship. From 2018-2019, Karolina was ranked #57 by Intercollegiate Tennis Association and #8 in the South. During the summers of 2018 and 2019, she went back home and was a self-employed Tennis Coach for kids, tailoring the instruction based on their age and level. In 2021, Karolina was a Building Manager at the University of West Florida’s Recreation Center, where she provided facilities oversight, and Intern at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Court in Pensacola, FL, assisting with probation and pretrial diversion cases. Karolina enjoys motivating others and providing alternative solutions to help them achieve their goals.

Fred Lemongo Tennis Professional

Fred is from Cameroon. He started playing tennis at just 3 years old with his dad who coaches the sport. Fred played college tennis for NC Wesleyan University where he graduated with a degree in CIS and Mathematics. Fred has been teaching tennis for 14 years and what he loves the most is to see his clients improve!