Our Awesome Staff
Matt & Hollie Lavinder
Owners
Matt and Hollie Lavinder purchased the facility in 2020 and immediately began a major remodel that added six indoor pickleball courts, an indoor soccer field, Fitness Zone, salt room, sauna, massage room, and the Third Half Pub. Construction on an outdoor pickleball park, upgrades to the clay tennis courts, a physical therapy clinic, and full indoor/outdoor bar, The Patio, which opened in March 2024.
Matt and Hollie are driven by their desire to build an accessible, top quality sport and social environment in their hometown. In just two years after purchasing the facility in 2020, the membership increased from 62 to over 4,000. After establishing programming for tennis, pickleball, and soccer, the Lavinders are now focused on helping the Plex provide the highest standard of player development in the region.
In addition to owning the Sportsplex, the Lavinders founded New Again Houses, which has over 50 franchise locations nationwide and recently ranked among the Top 25 national franchise systems by Franchise Business Review.
Avid tennis players and PTR Licensed Tennis Instructors, Matt and Hollie have spent most of their lives in soccer. In addition to both being Arsenal FC supporters for 25 years, Matt is the winningest coach in King University soccer history and holds a USSF A License, USSF Goalkeeping License, USSF Youth National License, and a United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma. He remains involved in Tri-Cities United soccer club.
Tiffany Scardo
General Manager
Tiffany moved to Bristol, TN where she started with BTCS at Anderson Elementary in Early Childhood intervention with children with differing ability ages 3yrs–6yrs.
As a former softball and soccer coach, she found a love for combining both her love for health and wellness, working with youth and coaching youth with the Bristol Sportsplex.
She received her personal training and strength & conditioning certification first with ACE and is currently receiving her Master Trainer certification with ISSA.
Ripley Amell
Tennis Director
Ripley is the director and founder of Tournament Players Academy. TPA originated in Tampa, FL, where the program was very successful hosting players from across the globe for short and long-term training, coupled with local virtual school programs for those players willing to dedicate themselves to high performance. In 2019, TPA relocated to Boone, NC, where it found a home at the renowned Yonahlossee Tennis Resort & Club. Although TPA will still operate some programs in Boone, its headquarters will now be at the Plex. Ripley has experienced success in both disciplines of Adult and Junior development. For twelve years, Ripley directed one of the most sought Adult Vacation Tennis Schools in Canada located at the Gray Rocks Ski/Golf and Tennis Resort, where he personally worked with over 13,000 adult players who came for an intensive week of tennis instruction. Following his move from Canada to Orlando, he incorporated the National Tennis Academy, where as the Executive Director began recruiting players globally to attend the Montverde International Preparatory School and train with his team. Having placed over a hundred athletes into collegiate tennis programs, two of which Ripley trained from 9-18 years old, winning National Championships, there is no doubt TPA will make a huge impact in tennis at the Plex!
Matt Yelton
Soccer Director
Matt Yelton brings a wealth of experience from the highest levels of American soccer. Yelton started the women’s soccer program at King University before winning four national championships as the women’s coach at Lee University. Yelton went on to become the director at the top clubs in Chattanooga, including as Director of Coaching at Red Wolves, one of the top youth clubs in the southeast. In addition to leading the soccer program at the Plex, Yelton is an assistant with the ETSU women’s program.
Alex Rush
Certified Pickleball Pro
Alex is a PPR pro-certified teaching pro. He is ranked amongst the top pickleball players in the area. Coach Alex has devoted the last year to growing the game of pickleball in the Tri-Cities Area.
Ryan Sparks
Physical Therapist & Sports Performance Trainer
Ryan Sparks is a physical therapist and sports performance trainer who runs his Sparked Rehab and Athletics practice at the Plex. Ryan provides free consultations to Plex members along with one on one rehab, dry needling, cupping, and performance training. See Sparkedrehab.com for more information on services provided.