Hello! My name is Ariel Diamond. Volleyball has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old. My parents coached my older sister's (Nikki - the club director) volleyball team and I attended all of the practices and games. I loved it. 

 

I had my first experience playing competitive volleyball in junior high at Holy Family in Shorewood. I played both volleyball and basketball from 5th-8th grade. In high school, I decided to stick with volleyball and played all year round -- from July to October I played for Minooka High School and then from November to June I played for Belusa. During our free time, Nikki and I volunteered as the coaches for our younger sister's volleyball team. After coaching her team from 5th-8th grade, we were asked to help with two more groups. 

 

After graduating from Minooka Community High School, I attended Lewis University in Romeoville. There I earned a combined degree in Special & Elementary Education. Throughout my 4 years there, I filled my time with coaching at Holy Family and by playing on intramural teams at Lewis University and at the Joliet Park District. I also began coaching club volleyball at Belusa. 

 

In 2015 I was hired as a teacher in Minooka. After a year of working there, I applied to be a part of their volleyball coaching staff. I spent the first three years coaching 6th grade and then three years coaching at the 7th grade level. This past year I was hired as the Freshman B Coach at Minooka  High School.  

 

This will be my thirteenth year coaching here at Belusa United. Although I love the pace and game play at the older levels, my favorite age group to coach is junior high. I enjoy teaching the fundamental skills needed to be successful at the higher levels. I am newly married (last May) and I am an 8th grade Math teacher. I have had a lot of fun playing and coaching volleyball for the last 20 years. I look forward to working with your athlete and showing them the sport that I love!