Cincy Elite Leadership – CINCY ELITE VOLLEYBALL

Cincy Elite Leadership: Guiding Our Athletes Towards Excellence

Behind every exceptional athlete at Cincy Elite stands a team of dedicated leaders, committed to nurturing talent, inspiring champions, and cultivating a love for the game. Our leadership team is the driving force that powers our vision, mission, and values, turning them from words into actions that shape the futures of our athletes.

Our Leaders at the Helm

Rob Long: Managing Director

When Rob Long steps onto a volleyball court, he brings something special – the wisdom of a Final Four competitor, the experience of 100+ professional tournament victories, and the heart of a coach who's spent decades building champions both on and off the court.

Rob's volleyball journey started at Ball State University, where he helped lead the Cardinals to an unforgettable Final Four appearance. That taste of competing at the highest level launched a professional career that would see him win tournaments across both indoor and beach volleyball circuits, establishing himself among America's most successful professional players.

But Rob's greatest achievement isn't what he accomplished as a player – it's what he's created as a coach and innovator.

The P1440 Difference

As co-creator of the P1440 National Elite Developmental Program, Rob transformed how young volleyball players train and develop. His approach combines indoor technical training with beach volleyball fundamentals in ways that accelerate skill development faster than traditional methods. The results speak for themselves: P1440 athletes consistently rank among the nation's top 50 players, and many go on to earn Division I scholarships and professional opportunities.

What makes Rob's system so effective? He discovered that beach volleyball's demanding ball control and spatial awareness requirements create superior indoor players. It's training that challenges young athletes to think faster, move better, and develop the kind of court sense that college coaches notice immediately.

Mind, Body, Faith

Rob doesn't just develop volleyball skills – he develops young men. His Mind, Body, Faith philosophy means your son will grow in mental toughness, physical excellence, and character that serves him long after his playing days end.

"I've seen too many talented players plateau because they only focused on technique," Rob explains. "The players who reach their potential are the ones who develop their minds and character alongside their physical skills."

His athletes don't just improve their volleyball – they become leaders in their schools, confident in their abilities, and equipped with the work ethic and resilience that translates to success in whatever path they choose.

Opening Doors

Through his extensive national network, Rob creates opportunities for Cincy Elite athletes that simply wouldn't exist otherwise. He connects promising players with premier showcases, elite tournaments, and college recruiters who might never have discovered a talented player from the Midwest.

"Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity doesn't," Rob says. "Part of my job is making sure these young men get seen by the right people at the right time."

Why Cincinnati Families Choose Rob

Parents consistently tell us that Rob sees potential in their sons that others missed. He has an eye for developing players who might not be the biggest or strongest, but who have the drive and coachability to excel at higher levels.

His track record speaks volumes: former players competing in college, earning scholarships, and more importantly, becoming young men their families are proud of. Rob builds volleyball players, but he builds people first.

When you choose Cincy Elite, you're not just getting a coach with an impressive resume – you're getting a mentor who will invest in your son's development as an athlete and as a person, guided by decades of experience at the highest levels of the sport.

Adam Miracle: Head Director

Adam Miracle represents something powerful for Cincinnati families: proof that a young man from our community can reach the highest levels of volleyball and return home to lift up the next generation.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Adam's volleyball journey began at Milford High School, where his talent and work ethic earned him a full scholarship to the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina. What happened next was remarkable – he didn't just compete at the college level, he dominated it.

Record-Breaking Excellence

At Mount Olive, Adam set the program's single-game kill record with 28 kills – a record that still stands today. He finished his career second all-time in program history with 958 kills, earning All-Freshman honors and three consecutive first-team All-Conference selections.

But Adam's competitive fire didn't stop there. He played professionally in Germany's second league with TV Bliesen and competed in beach volleyball qualifiers for the prestigious AVP and NVL circuits, giving him a unique understanding of volleyball at every level.

Coming Home to Give Back

After experiencing success at the highest levels, Adam made a choice that defines who he is: he came home to Cincinnati. For over 15 years, he's dedicated himself to developing the next generation of volleyball players in our community.

His coaching resume tells the story of someone who understands how to build programs from the ground up:

Seven years at Cincinnati Attack, building competitive boys' volleyball programs
Five years as head coach at Next Level Beach Volleyball Club
Head coach at Cincinnati Volleyball Academy, where he led the 15-1 team to a fifth-place finish at nationals in Minnesota

That national tournament success in 2016 wasn't just about volleyball skills – it was about taking a group of local kids and showing them they could compete with anyone in the country.

The Adam Difference

"Fall in love with the game, and everything else follows," Adam tells his players. It's more than a coaching philosophy – it's how he approaches every aspect of development.

Adam knows that volleyball is a vehicle for building character. Parents consistently share how their sons develop not just better volleyball skills under Adam's guidance, but confidence, leadership abilities, and the kind of work ethic that serves them in every area of life.

"I coach every player with the same passion, whether they're destined for a Division I scholarship or just learning to love the game," Adam explains. "My job is to help each young man reach his potential, whatever that looks like."

Your Local Advantage

What sets Adam apart is his deep understanding of what it takes for a Cincinnati-area player to succeed. He knows the local volleyball landscape, the regional opportunities, and exactly what college recruiters are looking for when they come to our area.

He's built relationships throughout Cincinnati's volleyball community over his 15+ years of coaching here. When Adam recommends a player, people listen – because they know he understands talent and character.

Building More Than Players

Ask Adam about his proudest coaching moments, and he won't start with championships or records. He'll tell you about the quiet kid who found his voice, the struggling student who became a team leader, or the athlete who earned his first college scholarship.

"I'm building young men who will be leaders in their schools, their communities, and their future careers," Adam says. "Volleyball is how we get there, but character is what lasts."

When your son trains with Adam, he's learning from someone who has walked the exact path from Cincinnati high school player to college success and beyond. More importantly, he's learning from someone who chose to come home and invest in the next generation of young men from our community.

Enrique "Kike" Perez: Assistant Director

When Olympic champions talk about volleyball, they listen to coaches like Kike Perez. For 14 years, he guided Puerto Rico's National Beach Volleyball Team against the world's best, preparing athletes for the ultimate stage of international competition.

Now Cincinnati families have access to something that's never been available in our region before: Olympic-level coaching expertise that transforms talented young players into champions who can compete anywhere in the world.

Forged at the Highest Level

Kike's volleyball journey began on the courts of Puerto Rico, where he competed professionally in indoor volleyball and achieved two second-place finishes at the national level. That elite playing experience taught him what it takes to perform under the most intense pressure – lessons he now passes on to the next generation.

But it was his coaching career that truly set him apart. As head coach of Puerto Rico's National Beach Volleyball Team from 2007-2013, Kike orchestrated one of the most successful periods in the program's history.

Championship Credentials

The numbers tell an incredible story:

23 NORCECA Championship medals (10 Gold, 8 Silver, 5 Bronze)
Three Olympic Qualifier semi-final appearances (2008, 2012, 2016)
Central American Games medals in both men's and women's divisions
Pan American Games success across multiple competitions

These weren't just participation awards – Kike's teams competed in the Dominican Republic and Mexico against programs with far more resources, proving that superior coaching and preparation can level any playing field.

The Science of Excellence

What makes Kike's coaching so effective? He understands that elite performance comes from the perfect combination of technical precision, mental toughness, and physical conditioning. For 14 years, he also served as the physical trainer for Puerto Rico's national beach team, giving him a complete understanding of athletic development.

"Preparing athletes for Olympic qualifiers teaches you that every detail matters," Kike explains. "The difference between making the Olympics and going home often comes down to preparation, discipline, and mental strength."

That same attention to detail now benefits every young man who trains with Cincy Elite.

Global Perspective, Local Impact

Through his ongoing work with the P1440 Beach Volleyball program, Kike travels across the United States conducting clinics and developing talent. This keeps him connected to the latest training innovations while maintaining relationships with coaches and scouts nationwide.

For Cincinnati families, this means your son benefits from training methods and competitive insights typically reserved for national team athletes. Kike brings international standards to local development, teaching young players what it truly means to compete like a champion.

Building Mental Champions

Parents often ask what separates good players from great ones. Kike's answer is always the same: mental toughness and character under pressure.

"I've coached athletes who competed against the world's best teams," he says. "The players who succeed aren't necessarily the most physically gifted – they're the ones who stay composed, make smart decisions, and never give up."

That's exactly what he develops in young players. The discipline, focus, and resilience required for international competition become tools these young men use in every area of their lives.

The Olympic Standard

When Kike works with your son, he's applying the same principles he used to prepare teams for Olympic qualifiers. The intensity is age-appropriate, but the standards remain high. He teaches players to think like professionals, train with purpose, and approach every practice and game with the mindset of a champion.

"These young men may not be competing for Olympic medals today, but I'm giving them the foundation to compete for whatever dreams they choose to pursue," Kike says.

More Than Volleyball

Kike's impact extends far beyond volleyball technique. The young men he coaches develop the kind of character and work ethic that serves them throughout their lives. They learn what it means to represent something bigger than themselves, to prepare with discipline, and to perform with confidence no matter the stakes.

When your son trains under Kike's guidance, he's not just learning from a coach – he's learning from someone who has stood on the sidelines of international competition, who has prepared athletes for the biggest stages in volleyball, and who understands what it takes to transform potential into performance at the highest level.

Victoria Downs: Assistant Director

Get ready to meet Victoria Downs, Assistant Director who's changing the game at Cincy Elite Volleyball. With over 25 years of playing and 9 years of coaching, she knows how to turn players into superstars.

From Court to Coach: Victoria's volleyball journey is crazy cool. She has played with the best clubs around, like Elevation and NKYVC, and even rocked it in college at the University of West Alabama. But coaching is where she found her true superpower - helping young players fall in love with the game and reach their full potential.

Club Coach Extraordinaire: Victoria has coached all kinds of teams, from clubs like NKYVC and Elevation to school squads at CHCA and Springboro High. She's got a special coaching style that helps players level up their skills, smarts, and mental toughness.

Coaching with Heart: For Victoria, volleyball is about more than just winning. It's about building strong, confident, and kind people. She helps her players grow in every way, on and off the court.

Facing Challenges Head-On: At Cincy Elite, Victoria teaches her players to be brave and never back down. She knows that playing against tough teams is how you become the best version of yourself.

Join the Cincy Elite Family: When you train with Victoria, you're not just joining a team - you're joining a family. She's here to help you become the champion you were meant to be.

Jen Dreher: Master Coach

Introducing Jen Dreher, the Master Coach who's taking youth volleyball to new heights at Cincy Elite. With a passion for developing young athletes and a track record of gold medals, Jen is the coach every rising star needs.

From Player to Coach: Jen's volleyball journey started at Marion Harding, where she dominated as an OH on varsity as a sophomore. She honed her skills at COVC in Columbus, setting the stage for a coaching career that would change lives.

The Dreher Touch:

High School Heroics: Jen's coaching magic first showed at Marion Catholic High School, where she led her team to the district finals. That was just the beginning.
National Boys and Girls Guru: For the past 6 years, Jen has been the secret weapon behind some of the most dominant national boys and girls teams around. Her 12-1 Boys squad not only ranked 5th in the nation, but also struck gold at the OVRs.
Trophy Case Filling Up: Jen's teams don't just compete - they win. From Central Zones to the Midwest Championship and Point Series, her squads have racked up gold medals like they're going out of style.

Homegrown Leadership: As the Varsity Women's coach at Lakota East for the past 4 years and Co-director of the Lakota East Youth Organization, Jen is deeply invested in developing the next generation of volleyball stars. For her, it's not just about winning - it's about instilling a lifelong love for the game.

Start Your Journey with Jen: When you train with Jen at Cincy Elite, you're not just getting better at volleyball - you're gaining a mentor who will help you fall in love with the sport. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and supported as you chase your volleyball dreams.

At Cincy Elite, we're not just building athletes - we're nurturing a passion for volleyball that will last a lifetime. Want to be part of something special? Come join Jen Dreher and our incredible coaching staff and let's start your journey to greatness today.

Our President and Supporting Club Director, Kent Littlejohn. Kent’s dedication to our athletes’ growth and success further fortifies our commitment to unlocking limitless potential and inspiring champions.

Our Club Operations Leadership team, featuring Beth Littlejohn and Shawn Neuhaus, ensure our operations run smoothly, allowing our athletes to focus entirely on their development both on and off the court. Their attention to detail and unwavering support are integral to creating the nurturing, empowering environment Cincy Elite is known for.

Our Vision, Mission, and Values

At Cincy Elite, our vision is to see beyond the court, nurturing champions of the game and of life. Our mission? To unlock potential, inspire transformation, and redefine victory, guided by our ELITE core values.

E – Excellence in Training: Utilizing a training model, experienced coaching leadership and professional fitness trainers that ensure consistent and high quality training for every player.

L – Leadership Growth: Creating opportunities for athletes to lead and inspire their peers

I – Impactful Experience: Committed to creating a memorable and positive experience in the development of youth athletes

T – Total Athlete: We train athletes on the court, in the workout room and off the court for full mental and physical development.

E – Engaged Community: We aspire to surround our athletes in a positive, supporting environment with a growth mindset

Leadership in Action

Our leadership team lives and breathes these values, imparting them to our athletes in every training session, match, and interaction. They foster a culture of respect, hard work, and unity, shaping Cincy Elite into more than just a volleyball club—it’s a family, a community, a launchpad for life’s journey.

Join us at Cincy Elite, where our leadership team is ready to guide you towards your own path of excellence. Here, you don’t just play volleyball—you become a part of a legacy of champions.