About

My name is Azaria Tiana Nelson and I’m a middle blocker and right side player.

I’m a member of the Class of 2026 and I’m excited to share my journey with you.

I’ve been playing volleyball since I was ten years old and it has been a huge part of my life ever since. Through volleyball, I’ve learned valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and dedication that have helped shape me as a person and as an athlete. I’m grateful for the opportunities that volleyball has provided me and I’m excited to continue my journey.

My volleyball career started when I was in fifth grade and played CYO volleyball with St. Anne in Union City, California. Coaches Anna and Trent Tran taught me a lot about volleyball. At the time, I was a three-sport athlete, also playing soccer and basketball. I hung up my soccer cleats after the fall season in sixth grade, and focused on basketball and volleyball. I was so excited to try out for the Itliong-Vera Cruz middle school (IVC) team in 6th grade; however, I was in the middle of basketball playoffs when the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to everything. Our championship basketball game was cancelled and volleyball tryouts stopped just as soon as they started. Once the pandemic hit, my dad planned workouts for my siblings and me in our driveway. I was so happy when UC Elite Volleyball Club opened up and offered small clinics. It was there that I connected with Coach Oliver Dofiles, who invested in bringing my skills up so I could compete at the club level. I’ve since come to love volleyball so much that I now focus solely on volleyball. Or, at least I thought I would – but my parents still made me play one more season of AAU basketball just to be sure my love for volleyball was real – and, IT IS!!!

In the 2020-2021 season, I was on the UC Elite 12 Buddy National Team. Coach Buddy was an amazing coach, and led our team to a Cinderella story win at the Pacific Northwest Qualifier in Spokane, Washington earning us a bid to the Girls Junior National Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. Our team was even featured on the local news in Spokane on the first day of the tournament. https://www.krem.com/article/sports/pacific-northwest-qualifier-tournament-begins/293-2c010c2e-bd2d-4497-899f-900c102edfdb?fbclid=IwAR1Z7n8ZTeqeUahjDUj97xQE7tMUw3aSv0ITCmhw2kfAlyoJ5ZWzeyDJ5mw Since my mom is from Washington, my extended family joined and was there to celebrate our victory. It’s a volleyball experience I will never forget, and I have a reminder of it every time I walk into the UC Elite gym, as the gold ball that we received when we won the championship sits on display in the lobby!

During the 2021-2022 season, I played on the UC Elite 13 Vivian National Team. Since school reopened, I was also finally able to play on the IVC volleyball team as an 8th Grader. Both teams were successful – 13 Vivian went on to earn a bid and play at GJNC in Indianapolis, Indiana; and my IVC team took the league championship!

In 2022, I started my freshman year of high school at James Logan. Since volleyball season starts right at the beginning of school, I had to adjust to the new demands of being a high school student athlete. High school has its own challenges, and as a student athlete, I had a few additional hurdles to cross over. But I am proud to say that I maintained a 4.0 GPA and helped the James Logan JV team win our league championship!

I am in the midst of my club volleyball season. This year, I have another opportunity to learn from Coach Oliver Dofiles while playing on the UC Elite 14 Oliver National Team. I made a transition moving from middle blocker to right side — although I still occasionally play middle when needed. I’m enjoying my new position, but every now and then I miss being in the middle. I am looking forward to playing at GJNC in Chicago in June.

Each experience has helped me grow and develop as a player, and I’ve learned so much from my coaches and teammates along the way. As a middle blocker and right side player, I’ve developed a strong passion for the sport and I’m always eager to improve my skills.

I’m proud of my accomplishments as a volleyball player and I’m excited to share them with you. Whether I’m on the court or off, I’m committed to pursuing my passion for volleyball and giving it my all. My goal is to play collegiate level volleyball while pursuing a degree to prepare me for a career in medicine.

Thank you for visiting my website and I hope you enjoy learning more about me and my volleyball journey.