Our Tennis Pros

Mindy Sheppard - General Manager & Teaching Professional

Mindy Sheppard came to Asheville Racquet Club in the summer of 1998, working part time running the summer camps and assisting in the junior programs. She took on a full time role as a teaching pro in January 2002. In January 2005, she became the Director of Tennis. In this capacity, she is in charge of running all aspects of the tennis program, including tournaments, summer camps, private and group lessons, team league clinics and socials, and cardio tennis, as well as other member affiliated events.

Mindy grew up playing junior tennis in Wisconsin and played competitive tennis as a junior throughout the Midwest. She continued to play competitively at the University of Wisconsin – Madison for 4 years for a Division 1 tennis program.

As tennis pro, Mindy is passionate about catering to all levels of play and all types of players. She works just as effectively with young children, adult beginners, advanced level juniors and adults, as well as older adults. She is careful to learn the goals of every student and shapes her lessons accordingly. An accomplished athlete herself, Mindy is especially interested in fitness. She is a great believer in strong footwork and physical stamina in order to maximize one’s performance on the court. She is also very attentive to all aspects of the game, including timing, stroke technique, shot selection, and style of play.

As passionate as Mindy is about tennis, she ultimately believes tennis should be fun. In addition to her love of the game, Mindy cares deeply about the members and is always seeking new ways to add value to their membership experience!

Alex Zaluzhny, Teaching Professional

Alex, a native of Lviv Ukraine, came to the Asheville Racquet Club in the spring of 2001 as a full time teaching Pro. Alex teaches individual, group lessons and clinics.

Alex was a top ranked international junior player and has won prestigious titles throughout Bulgaria, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, France and Finland. Alex graduated from the State Institute of Physical Education and Sports in 1980, specializing in tennis. He moved onto teaching in 1982 and worked as a tennis coach for young players, preparing them for various tournaments in the Ukraine. He worked for various tennis clubs in Germany for nearly four years before migrating back to the Ukraine to work as the Head Tennis Coach until March of 2001. In this role, he worked and prepared many young top tennis players for local and international tournaments, most of who were members of the National Junior Tennis Team.

Alex emphasizes tactics and classical technique. In addition to his love of tennis, Alex loves music, art and performances. He also loves to travel and has traveled throughout the Northeast, Midwest and the South.

Lawson Duncan, Teaching Professional

Lawson was formally ranked number 36 on the ATP tour and Career wins include Yannick Noah, Johan Kriek, Tim Wilkison, Guillermo Vilas, Jimmy Brown, Ivan Lendl.   He played at Clemson University for one season, reaching the NCAA single final. He was named All-American that year and then turned pro. Lawson was NCAA rookie of the year and still holds the NCAA record for most singles wins in a season. He was Team Captain of the USTA Junior Davis Cup team in 1983 and in his first full year in 1985, he reached three European clay court finals within one month. He finished number 59 in his first full year.

Year-by-Year Highlights:

• 1989- Runner-up at Charleston (l. Berger); Semifinalist at Florence, San Marino, Casablanca-2 Ch.; Quarterfinalist at Athens; RD 16 at French Open.

• 1988- Runner-up at Boston (l. Muster), Vina del Mar Ch.; Winner at Hanko Ch.; Semifinalist at Charleston, Florence, Bari, Casablanca Ch.; Quarterfinalist at Bordeaux, Prague; Doubles Runner-up at Marrakech Ch. (w/Schwaier).

• 1987- Winner at Agadir, Casablanca Challengers; Quarterfinalist at Palermo.

• 1986- Runner-up at Vina del Mar Challenger; Quarterfinalist at Bari, St. Vin-
  cent; Doubles Semifinalist at St. Vincent (w/Pistolesi).

• 1985- Runner-up at Bari (l. Panatta), Marbella (l. de la Pena), Madrid (l. Maurer); Quarterfinalist at Tournament of Champions-N.Y., Florence.

• 1985- US Davis Cut Team USA vs West Germany team member  

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Bo Webb - Teaching Professional

Bo’s prior experience includes serving 6 years as an assistant at the Asheville Racquet Club where he was born and raised; He spent two-year tenure at The Laurel Ridge Country Club as the Director of Tennis and was formally the Director of the National JR Tennis Leagues in Western North Carolina. Bo moved his family to Richmond VA to become the Head Professional at the Woodlake Swim and Racquet Club although his career objectives in Richmond came to fruition after accepting the position of Director of Tennis at the Brandermill Country Club 4 years ago. While there, Bo led a team of investors through the purchase and expansion of the largest outdoor Tennis facility in Richmond Virginia while also helping to direct the development of a new 4 court Indoor Tennis Complex, now called the Midlothian Tennis Club boasting 20 courts.

Bo is a certified professional for 12 years with the USPTA and USPTR, he has continuously demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities to train build and mentor his students. Bo was an accomplished JR player and recipient of collegiate scholarship at Mars Hill College. He has coached nationally ranked juniors and adults, as well as state and national USTA championship teams. He has also worked as a physical trainer concentrating on physical conditioning and diet regiment consulting. Bo carries with him a career long record of increasing new membership and current membership participation. Bo is very excited to be back on the courts where he grew up and brings with him his wife of 16 years Lori, and their 3 children Kaleb, Kira and Kassidy.

Jeff Duncan, Tennis Professional

Jeff is an Asheville native and as a junior tennis player competed at the National Level which earned him a full tennis scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Asheville.  Jeff played Number One Singles and Doubles all four years achieving all-conference honors each year. 
After graduating, Jeff played professionally; traveling the United States and eventually settling back in Asheville.  Jeff became the director of the Gary Johnson Tennis Academy coaching nationally-ranked juniors from all over the United States and Internationally.
In 2000, Jeff became the Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at The University of North Carolina at Asheville.  After thirty plus years of tennis experience both playing and teaching Jeff looks forward to working with adults and juniors at ARC.