Dianne Shoemaker DeNecochea has finished the season ranked in the top 11 in six of the past seven years, with the only exception being in 2004 when she took time off due to pregnancy. The 40 year-old and continue to prove that "age is just a number" as she maintains her ranking as one of the top athletes in the sport. In 2007 she paired up with Barbra Fontana, and the duo finished as the fifth-ranked team despite not playing together in three network events.

After a successful 2005 campaign that found DeNecochea finishing in the top five in five categories; aces (second, 114), kill percentage (third, .593), blocks (fourth, 153), kills (fourth, 1,100) and hitting percentage (fourth, .468), she ended 2006 in the top five in four different categories; kill percentage (first, .630), hitting percentage (second, .514), blocks (third, 1.01 per game), and kills (6.95 per game). DeNecochea's nine semifinals in 2007 marked the most in her career. In the final open event, in Cincinnati, she and Fontana finished in second place, earning DeNecochea her single biggest payout. At the end of the year she led the tour in kill  percentage (.595), was second in blocks (1.26 per game), third in hitting percentage (.467), fifth in kills (7.07 per game) and ninth in aces (.72 per game).

 

Born in Detroit, Michigan, the 6'4" power player attended the University of Tennessee where she was a two-time first-team All-Conference Selection as well as earning Academic Athlete of the Year honors. In October 2007 she was inducted into the Lady Volunteer Hall of Fame. Upon graduation (with honors), she turned professional, playing nationally in the Major League Volleyball league before heading to Europe to play in Switzerland with Uni Basel and in Belgium with Dauphines. Returning to the U.S. to compete in the sand for the first time with the 4 Woman Pro Beach Volleyball League, she led Team Paul Mitchell to two consecutive championships in 1996, (earning "Surprise Player of the Year" honors) and 1997 before returning to Europe for one season to play with powerhouse Cemar Volleyball in Spezzano, Italy.

 

DeNecochea began playing full-time on the AVP tour in 2001, capturing her first tournament win with partner Liz Masakayan at the Santa Barbara Open and a Bronze Medal at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.

 

Favorite movie: Pretty Woman

Favorite TV show: I like Desperate Housewives for a getaway into crazy, silliness, with a little reality. I also like the new show "The Good Wife".

Favorite band/music artist: Creed, Lifehouse, Van Morrison and lots more!

F avorite meal: I have developed an allergy to gluten-free, dairy free so now I like risotto, steak, Thai food, real Mexican food with corn tortillas, I still like my coffee every morning. 

Favorite place to travel: I loved Indonesia on our honeymoon several years ago, I also really like Gstaad, Switzerland and I loved Italy when I played there indoors. 

Greatest accomplishment: Winning a couple of tournaments and being inducted into the Hall of Fame at Univ. of Tenn. were great.  But, being married and having 2 wonderful daughters has been my greatest accomplishment.

If you weren’t playing pro beach volleyball, what would you do? I have done some medical sales in laboratory equipment and supplies, also in orthopedic bracing. For a few years in between tours stopping and starting.  I really enjoyed it.  

Sponsors: Nutrition Zone (Point Loma)

Family: Joel DeNecochea (Husband), Avalon 9 yr. old daughter, Devon 5 yr. old daughter

Hobbies: Not alot of time for hobbies.  We have a great new dog this offseason a wire-haired viszla.  I spend time with her, also cooking, house stuff, keeping up with our hectic family life with school and activities.