Ottawa University (AZ) Women's Softball

Ernesto Ortiz was named the head coach of the OUAZ softball program in July of 2021. Entering his fourth season at the helm, Ortiz is coming off another successful campaign with the Spirit Softbal Program. A 29-23 overall record was good enough to punch a ticket to the GSAC Tournament for the second time in the last three years.  Before taking over the program, Ortiz worked with the Grand Canyon University Softball program for two seasons under the direction of Ann Pierson. He assisted in the overall operation of the Performance Athletics Department at GCU and played a role in the speed, strength, and agility programs installed with the GCU softball program. In addition, Ortiz has worked as a coach with the GCU Camps and Clinics program since 2015.    Ortiz began his coaching career in club softball, where he prepared and implemented practice, speed, and conditioning training plans for the team and handled individual and skill development.   In his time with the OUAZ baseball program, Ortiz was also the recruiting coordinator and handled player development and performance. He played a role in the offensive and defensive strategies and helped develop two NCCAA All-Americans. With Ortiz on staff, the Spirit advanced to the NCCAA World Series.   Before coming to OUAZ in 2017, Ortiz was the head baseball coach at Valley Vista High School, where he led the program to consecutive 20-win seasons and two trips to the Arizona 6A State Playoffs. He coached 14 players that went on to play college baseball.   The owner and founder of Arizona Travel Ball, Ortiz oversees the organization's operations and is responsible for the athletes' development, training, and teaching.   After playing spending two seasons at Gonzaga University, where he started 101 games at shortstop and collected 87 hits, Ortiz finished his collegiate career at Grand Canyon University. His time at GCU was highlighted by being named PacWest All-Conference in 2011 after batting .340 with 33 RBIs.   Ortiz graduated from GCU with a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Health Education. He then earned a Master of Science in Leadership at GCU. Ortiz and his wife, Vanessa, reside in Glendale.  

A native to Woodbury, MN, Nguyen graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and a Masters of Public Health.  He represented the Utes all four years while competing in the PAC-12.  While at Utah, his main coaches were Joe Dykstra and James Winchester. He began his competitive swim career at the age of 6 at the South East Metro Sharks under coach Eric Seversen.  In 2010, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and train under coach Ron Lockwood at Wasatch Front Fish Market. Nguyen began his coaching career while studying under Ron Lockwood as the Assistance National Training Group Coach while still swimming for the Utes.  Upon graduation, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he met Darian Townsend.  He would join the staff as a coach for the YWSF in 2019 as well as swim with the senior elite group. In 2021, Nguyen would start his collegiate coaching career as the Head Coach at Ottawa University located in Surprise, Arizona.  There he would produce All-American performances from Jonathan Cowin and Ayden Dusek.  Cowin was 4th in the 100 back (50.42) at the 2022 NAIA Nationals while Dusek placed 10th in the 100 back (51.65).  At the 2023 NAIA Nationals Cowin was 11th in the 100 back (51.14). In the 2024 season, Reuben Foster gained All American status as he finished National Runner-Up in the 200 Fly with a time of 1:48.43.  Reuben was also a second team All American in the 100 Fly with a time of 50.09.  Jonathan Cowin went best times at NAIA nationals with a 50.33 in the 100 Fly and a season best time at NAIA nationals with a time of 50.49.

- 3rd season coaching at OUAZ. - Serves as the recruiting coordinator - Attended and played softball at the University of Minnesota-Crookston.  Earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Business.  - Played her last season of eligibility as a grad student at University of Sioux Falls and earned a MBA in Innovations of Marketing.  - Born and raised in Laveen, AZ. - Attended Betty Fairfax High School.  - Currently is the softball director for the AMDG softball club in Phoenix overseeing the operations of the youth teams in the organization. 

Coach Justice Graham serves as the head dance coach for the OUAZ Dance Team. An alumna of Ottawa University Arizona, Coach Graham brings several years of dance experience combined with professional expertise in mental health, leadership, and team development. In 2025, Coach Graham played a key role in leading the OUAZ Dance Team to a first-place finish at NDA College Dance Nationals, marking a historic achievement for the program. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes mental resilience, confidence, and performance readiness, empowering student-athletes to excel both competitively and personally. Beyond the collegiate level, Coach Graham has served as the Varsity Pom Head Coach at Willow Canyon High School for three seasons and brings elite performance experience as a halftime dancer at the 2023 Super Bowl featuring Rihanna. Coach Graham is deeply committed to building a supportive, disciplined, and high-performing team culture that prioritizes athlete well-being, accountability, and excellence both on and off the floor.