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The Making of Brooklyn Elite

By Brooklyn Elite , 10/20/17, 3:45PM EDT

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The Bar Has Officially Been Raised For New York Volleyball

The truth is Brooklyn Elite got started a long time ago. Sixteen years ago to be exact. When a young Ben Diaz and Otto Lacayo were asked to help start a volleyball club (SG Elite) in the greater Los Angeles area. Which was no easy task considering the organization’s facility was in the heart of Southern California, the capital of American volleyball.

After setting up a steady foundation, Otto and Ben found unparalleled success as Head Coaches and Club Directors at SG Elite. Not to mention, a lifelong friendship—a friendship that eventually led to a shared vision: Starting an east coast club that teaches high-level skills—the skills needed to rival the west and compete nationally.

That club is finally here. That club is Brooklyn Elite.

 

MORE ABOUT BEN      

Ben started his coaching career at La Salle high school where he experienced immediate success, capturing the league title and a CIF semi-final birth in his first season. He then went on to win back-to-back CIF championships and two league titles at South Pasadena High School. All the while, Ben coached several successful teams for San Gabriel Elite, recording three top five finishes that included a bronze medal at Junior Nationals in 2013 and a silver medal at Festival in 2012. Most recently (2017), Ben took home a bronze medal in the 17 Open Division at Junior Nationals in Minneapolis, MN. 

 

MORE ABOUT OTTO

Otto played volleyball for Loyola High School as well as the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Shortly after graduation, Otto landed a head coaching position at Westridge Preparatory School where he won several conference championships, a CIF title, and The Pasadena Star News’ Coach Of The Year. Simultaneously, Otto collected various Junior Nationals podium finishes for San Gabriel Elite—most notably, a 15 Open silver medal (2015) and a 13 American bronze medal (2013). In 2017, Lacayo led his 16’s team to an Open Division gold medal finish at Colorado Crossroads, one of the nation’s most competitive qualifying tournaments.