Director

It is a privilege to be the Director of such a fantastic organization!  DJRS has made some huge strides recently that has made it one of the best clubs in the Ohio Valley Region.

I am originally from Bowling Green, OH and graduated from BGSU. I work for Triad Technologies in Vandalia, OH and my husband works for the Air Force. My husband and I are proud parents of a daughter and a son with another son on the way! Many of you know Rylee, she loves being on the courts with the girls!

Growing up, I played volleyball all year-round for Elmwood Schools and clubs: Sen San and Black Swamp.  During college, and still today, I participate in playing competitive indoor and sand volleyball leagues.

Once I started my career I decided to start coaching. I have been coaching club since 2015 and have coached school ball since 2019. Being a Coach has forever changed my life; I love sharing my passion for volleyball. 

It is always great to hear from our parents so feel free to let me know how things are going.

Business Administration

Derek serves as the Application Support Manager for PQ Systems, Inc. in Centerville, OH.  PQ Systems develops software aiding manufacturing companies around the globe in understanding and improving their production processes to better satisfy customer and industry requirements.  In this role, Derek manages a team that provides remote and on-site support to customers implementing PQ products and services. Applying statistical concepts from his day job to volleyball training has been interesting, to say the least.

Emily, a graduate of Watkins Memorial High School in Pataskala, OH  works at Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School as the assistant to the Athletic Director and is responsible for organizing the many aspects of interscholastic sports.  Her responsibilities include managing coach and player certifications and documentation, transportation to and from events, scheduling/overseeing facility usage, event ticketing, billing and contracts, and inter departmental communication.

Together, Derek and Emily have been coaching volleyball in the Dayton area for more than 10 years.  Derek’s first “official” coaching position was that of ball-shagger/mascot for his older sister’s middle school volleyball team.  He’s been involved with the sport ever since! Derek played in the hometown Fairborn HS boys program during the most successful period in program history.  Emily started playing volleyball in the 6th grade (back when we had side out scoring, the serve couldn’t touch the net and there was no libero) and was coached by her mom, which is where she learned a love of the sport. She played competitively in both high school and club ball in the Columbus area and oversaw intramural volleyball during her time at Wright State University.  

As a duo, Derek and Emily have spent time coaching at Fairborn, Centerville, Miamisburg and Talawanda High Schools and have coached both girls and boys club volleyball in the Dayton area.  Emily is serving as a varsity coach at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School this fall.  This season will be season #11 at Dayton Juniors - all of which, to this point, have been as co-coaches of 14 and 15 Blue level teams. We’re often amazed at the learning that we, as coaches, do throughout the year working with the great young athletes in the Dayton Juniors program.

In late 2016, we welcomed our son, Tobin, to the world and our fingers are crossed we have a future volleyball star in the making.  This will be our fourth season serving as a tag-team as administrators of our club. We look forward to bringing the organizational and creative skills in our day jobs to our new positions at Dayton Juniors.  We’ve grown very passionate about this sport, Dayton Juniors and the incredibly bright future we’re working tirelessly to position for this club.. In this role, we’re here to serve our coaches and players to get the most out of their club volleyball experiences.   We vow to be present and responsive throughout the entire year to help in any way we’re needed!

We look forward to serving you!

Secretary

I am from Bethel Township and currently reside in Kettering with my fiancé/ assistant coach, Mike Welch and my son Logan.  I hold a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am a therapist at a boys residential facility in the Dayton Area. I Have spent the last 21 club seasons with Dayton Juniors and this will be my 15th year coaching ranging from 11’s-16’s.  Dayton Juniors has been a home to me since I was in middle school. It was the first club I ever tried out for and the only club I ever played for. I attended Urbana University where I obtained a dual bachelors in psychology and sociology.  During my spring season I would travel home and coach which is my passion. 

Dayton Juniors has been My home, family, and happy place and I want to inspire youth to grow their passion and potentially have the hunger for coaching others in the future. I am very excited to be a member of this team and look forward to what the future holds for us.

I am the proud mother of a volleyball enthusiast. Volleyball is her passion! My daughter has been playing volleyball practically year-around since the 4th grade. I have learned a lot from her awesome coaches! I enjoy watching practices and games, and enjoy helping out where ever I can. This will be our 3rd year with Dayton Juniors. I served as the team parent for my daughter's 12's and 13's teams. I am excited to head up the Capital Campaign and coordinate this years gear including: jerseys, practice t-shirts, and spirit wear.

When we are not in the gym, I work full-time at Dayton Municipal Court for the Clerk of Court. I am a proud graduate of Sinclair Community College and hold an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Paralegal. I joined the Sinclair Paralegal Advisory Committee in 2015 and continue to serve and give back to an amazing program.

I am excited to serve and be a part of such a great volleyball club where the main focus is the player! 

Capital Campaign & DJRS Gear Coordinator

Facilities

Volleyball

Started coaching in 2004 and have continued to the present time. Started coaching youth volleyball at the YMCA, was responsible for the volleyball program and coached at Miamisburg Middle School for 4 years, coached the freshman team for one year at Miamisburg High School, coached at and recruited players for 3 years at Miami University of Middletown. Have been coaching club volleyball at Dayton Juniors since 2012. Have coached as a Regional or American coach for 14's, 15's, 16's and 18's. I am also currently a Board Member for Dayton Juniors VBC which includes maintenance on the current facility (and a liaison for the promotion and construction of a new facility).

Personal

I served proudly in the United States Army for 4 years.

I own a small construction company, Misc. Construction, LLC, specializing in residential and light commercial work. Prior to this I worked as a Supervisor/Project Manager for a Commercial Construction Company for 20+ years.

I have been married for 29 years to my wife Sonya. We have two daughters. Our oldest daughter, Coree, played volleyball through Middle School and High School and also at Miami University of Middletown for several years. She also played club for Dayton Juniors. Coree coached volleyball at Bethel Middle School and is the 18 Blue Head Coach for Dayton Juniors. Our youngest daughter, Cassie also played volleyball through Middle School and High School, played club with Dayton Juniors for several years and currently plays at Heidelberg University where she is a Senior. She also helps out at Dayton Juniors when she is home on break.

Social Media & Program Manager