Denetia “Coach Dee” will be coaching our Inspire Academy K–3rd program this season! She brings a lifetime of volleyball experience, beginning at age four with her dad, and continuing through high-level club, high school, and Division I collegiate play.

Coach Dee grew up playing for Rose City and Starlings Portland before becoming a four-year varsity athlete at Benson High School, where she earned all-league and all-state honors as a setter. She went on to play Division I volleyball at Jackson State University, earning All-SWAC recognition.

Beyond the court, Coach Dee is deeply committed to education. She holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Special Education, and she currently serves as a learning specialist for 6th–8th grade students.

With more than a decade of coaching experience, Coach Dee has led programs across Portland, including De La Salle North Catholic, Fort Vancouver High School, and Roosevelt High School. She is currently the head coach at Portland Christian High School, where she has earned multiple league and district titles, four state appearances, three Elite 8 finishes, the 2023 2A State Championship, and multiple Coach of the Year awards. At Aspire, she has coached 12U and 13U teams to Nationals in consecutive seasons. She has also been inducted into both the Benson High School Hall of Fame and the PIL Hall of Fame.

Coach Dee’s philosophy centers on teaching athletes to love the game the way she always has. She emphasizes teamwork, mental toughness, and learning to navigate high-pressure moments in positive ways. She focuses heavily on fundamentals, helping athletes build the strong foundation needed to grow into higher-level skills: “We all have to walk before we can run.”