Meet our Coaching Staff East

DIANA FORD

Volleyball Coaching Positions

Miami University Head Coach
Capital University Head Coach
Bexley High School Head Coach
Illinois State University Assistant
Coach Graduate Assistant
Otterbein College Head Coach
Wright Patterson Air Force Woman USA Volleyball Team in Dayton
Solon High School JV Volleyball Coach 2012 & 2013
Hawken Upper School JV Volleyball Coach 2010 & 2012
Sports Imports Volleyball Camps at Wright State University (US Men's Team training at Wright State)

Volleyball Referee

Former Big Ten Conference
Former MidAmerican Conference
Ohio Athletic Conference and NAIA Volleyball Referee thru Fall 2009
Baldwin Wallace, John Carroll, Case Western, Ursuline College, Notre Dame College
Former OHSAA Volleyball Official
Former USA National Volleyball Official (Among first six women in US & first in Region)

Recognition

OHSAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame
Big Ten Conference Whistle of Pride Award

Volleyball Related Positions

First Chairman of OHSAA Volleyball Board
Organized OHSAA State Volleyball Coaches Clinics
Miami University Athletic Board for the Sport of Volleyball
Wright State University Volleyball Coaching Classes for area high school coaches
On-court volunteer, 1996 Olympics, 4 weeks in Atlanta

Playing Experience

Fairmount West High School
Ohio State University
USVBA Volleyball Team in Columbus

Education

BS in Physical Education, The Ohio State University
Masters in Education, Illinois State University
OHSAA Coaching Clinics, 2010-2013
Workshops: Doug Beal, Mick Haley, Mary Jo Peppler, etc.

TIFFANY MCFARLAND

Tiffany is a 3-year starter volleyball and basketball player from her alma mater Maple Heights High School. After graduating, she went on to playing both sports at the collegiate level for Garrett College then West Virginia State University. She returned home to begin her coaching career at Maple Heights High School as a basketball coach. For the past 8 years, she has been coaching for Beachwood City Schools where she has built and transformed the volleyball program. In 2019 she received CVC coach of the year and News Herald Coach of the year. Through her hard work and dedication Tiffany coached her team to be 2019 CVC Champions and 2019 District Runner Ups for the first time in school history.

“Volleyball isn’t just a sport to me; it is my passion. I pride myself in teaching the fundamentals, building confidence in my players, and having fun. Sometimes you are not handed 6 girls that are true volleyball player’s, but it is what you create and the relationships that you build where you can ultimately create a dominating team. A saying that I preach to my team is hard work beats talent.”

CINDERELLA GRAY

Cinderella played at her Alma Mater Beachwood High School as a varsity setter. With her love and passion for the game she continued to play Club Volleyball at the University of Akron. After leaving Akron, she returned to Beachwood to assist Volleyball staff as the Junior Varsity Head Coach.

She recently took the position as The Middle School Head coach this year. This past summer she took on the role as the Summer Volleyball Program Director for Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

“The game of volleyball has taught me many valuable lessons in life. I love to give back to the sport and teach the game with passion and enthusiasm. Watching my players grow and help them reach their full potential on and off the court makes me strive to be a better person, not only for myself but for my team.”

BECKY BLUE

Becky began playing volleyball in 5th grade at Incarnate Word Academy and then played 4 years at Magnificat High School where she was named the 1990 Magnificat Athlete of the Year. In 2016, she was inducted into the Magnificat Hall of Fame for both basketball and volleyball. While in high school, she played 2 years of Club Volleyball with the NOVA Juniors program.

She continued her volleyball career at Villanova University, where she was a four-year starter and selected to the first team All-Big East her senior year. In 2011, she was voted into the Villanova Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame, becoming the first volleyball player in school history to be selected for that honor. After college, Becky continued playing both indoor and outdoor volleyball in multiple adult leagues around Cleveland and Akron. She coached CYO volleyball at Seton Catholic School and is looking forward to coaching in the DG Warriors program.

Becky is a mom of four kids, ages 21-11 and lives in Solon. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Villanova University and is a licensed CPA. She works in the family accounting practice in Parma.

BRITTANY ORTIZ

Director of Volleyball

Club Tryouts Coordinator
Summer & Training Camps Coordinator
Private Lessons Coordinator
Coach & Player Development – East, South & West Side

Brittany is a mom to five kids, ages 3-15. She relocated back to her hometown of Akron in October of 2020 after living in Houston, TX for 12 years. She has a passion for coaching and teaching young girls to apply decision making not only in the game of volleyball but in everyday life.

Volleyball Coaching Experience

DG Warriors (3 years) 16’s American 2022-2023
DG Warriors (1 year) 14's National 2021-2022
Archbishop Hoban High School JV Head/Varsity Assistant 2005-2007
KYV Volleyball Club, Texas 2010-2013
Fairfield Volleyball Club, Texas 12’s 2019

Playing Experience

Archbishop Hoban High School
Thiel College
North Texas Region Volleyball
Summit Sports & Social

Certifications:

CPI Certified
Impact
CPR

BREANNA NERO

Assistant Director of Volleyball

Breanna played volleyball from middle school through high school, and then recreationally in college. She is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. Currently, she is a teacher at Heritage Christian School

in Brooklyn, Ohio, and has recently ended her first season coaching 8th grade volleyball at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Bre ended her 2nd season at CVCA.

"I have a passion for coaching sports and teaching youth and to grow athletes' skills, sportsmanship, and leadership through the sports they play."

KRISTY AIKEN

Kristy played volleyball and basketball for Mars Area High School in Pennsylvania. She was a volleyball setter and captain for three years. After high school, she participated in intramural leagues at Houghton College and graduated with a Science degree with a physical therapy minor.

After starting a family, she coached one season for King of The Court, a Pennsylvania J.O. U13 team. After moving to Ohio with her husband and raising three kids, she coached middle school volleyball and basketball at Valley Christian Academy.

Kristy recently finished her tenth volleyball season at VCA with the best record in school history at 11-2.

She also works at VCA as an educational assistant in the 2nd grade and middle school part time.

"I love seeing players learn to love a sport and excel with their teammates both on and off the court. Volleyball has been a part of my life for a long time and I’m excited to get back into the J.O. arena."

TABITHA HOWELL

Tabitha was a basketball and volleyball player at Warrensville Heights High School. She played on the All Ohio volleyball team as an outside hitter her junior and senior year. After graduating high school, she attended Case Western Reserve University where she played volleyball and started as a freshman. After starting a

a family, she coached CYO and recreation teams while watching her 2 older play through high school. Most recently she coached recreation for 3 years at Solon and this is her 3rd season coaching JO volleyball for DG Warriors. Last season her 12R team took 2nd in the OVR.

Tabitha is a mom with 6 kids (5 girls and 1 boy) ages 11-28. She also has 5 grandkids who live in Columbus, Ohio. She absolutely loves family and is a volleyball fanatic. Her passion is helping girls grow their confidence and become better athletes. She likes to encourage players to focus on their diet/overall health and believes “what you put in your body and what you get out in games”. She loves to show players how hard work can really help them improve and believes that helps them in every aspect of their lives.

RICARDO MONTENEGRO

Ricardo is a 49 year old Brazilian, for 11 years he played volleyball in his country, in the junior to professional

categories, as well as in college. He is an engineer and six years ago moved with his family to the United States

and works as a Project Manager.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

Esporte Clube Banespa (1984 - 1988) - State Champion 1988, National Champion 1988
Mangels São Bernardo (1989 - 1995) - Junior 1st Division , 2nd Division Adult Division
Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial (1990-1995) - State Champions 1992, 1993

Education:

Metallurgical Engineer – Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial

MBA Business Management – ESPM”