DIANE NELSON
HEAD SAND COACH, U15 BENSON ASSISTANT COACH
Hometown: Grass Valley, CA
Beach Volleyball Coach | Former NCAA Head Coach | SEA Games Medalist
Diane Pascua Nelson is an accomplished beach volleyball athlete and coach with over 25
years of experience both on the court and from the sidelines. She is a former head volleyball
coach at Gonzaga University, where she spent 11 years developing collegiate athletes and
achieving record-breaking success.
At Gonzaga, Diane became the first coach in program history to record at least 11 wins in
each of her first four seasons, including a 17-11 record (.607 win percentage) in her debut
season—the best ever by a first-year head coach.
Before her tenure at Gonzaga, Diane coached at Santa Fe Christian High School in Solana
Beach, California, where she led the team to four state championship appearances, winning
titles in 2003 and 2005. Her coaching journey began in 1996 and includes running one of
the largest college camps in the state of Washington, directing and leading Solana Beach
Volleyball Club in Southern California, and extensive high school and club-level coaching.
Diane is also a decorated athlete. She earned a bronze medal at the 2005 Southeast Asian
Games while representing the Philippines, and competed on the AVP Tour (2003–2010), the
FIVB Tour (2007–2008), and the New Zealand Beach Tour (2007). She and her partner,
Heidi Ilustre-Boatright, achieved a top-32 world ranking and were among the first duos to
represent the Philippines internationally—helping pave the way for the country's presence
in the sport.
Her international playing career spanned Asia, Europe, South America, and Australia, and
included an Olympic qualification campaign for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
Today, Diane coaches for CPA Sand Volleyball Club and continues to mentor young athletes
in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene region.
“I coach not just to build players, but to shape confident, resilient young people ready for any
challenge—on or off the court.”
– Diane Pascua Nelson
Career Highlights:
- 2005 SEA Games Bronze Medalist (Philippines)
- Professional Beach Volleyball Athlete – AVP (2003–2010) / FIVB Tour (2007 & 2008)
/ New Zealand Beach Tour (2007)
- Top-32 FIVB World Ranking with partner Heidi Ilustre-Boatright
- Over 25 Years in Volleyball (Player Camp; Coach)
- Head Coach – Gonzaga University Volleyball (11 seasons)
- CPA Sand Volleyball Club Coach
- Club Coaching Director – Solana Beach Volleyball Club (2001–2010)
- Developmental Program Coach – Sideout Volleyball Club
- Former Head Coach – Santa Fe Christian HS (2 State Titles: 2003, 2005)
- Based in Spokane / Coeur d’Alene Region