General | 4/7/2022 2:30:00 PM

New York, New York - After an extensive search, the Borough of Manhattan Community College women's volleyball program has finally found their new head coach. Nia Bell will guide the Panther women's volleyball program in 2022 after coming from Dream Charter School last year and serving as an assistant at Stephens College in 2020.

"I am excited to have Coach Bell lead our Women's Volleyball Program," said Matthew Ruiz, Director of Athletics & Recreation at BMCC. "The passion and dedication to the game she has was evident throughout the hiring process and will undoubtedly help our student-athletes grow both on and off the court."

Bell brings an excellent resume to BMCC as a successful assistant coach at Stephens College and a dominant outside hitter during her collegiate career at Fort Valley State and Fayetteville State University. At Stephens College, Bell served as an assistant coach in 2020 under Head Coach Devin Walker. She collaborated with him to lead the Stars to their highest finish in conference play in program history while producing four All-Conference selections.

Before jumping into the coaching ranks, Bell was an outstanding player on the floor during her time at Fort Valley State and Fayetteville State University. She made an immediate impact at Fort Valley State, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors for the Wildcat program as their offensive leader with 268 kills and 19 service aces. She was also second in the SIAC Conference in Kills while also garnering Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Volleyball Newcomer of the Week after smashing a career-high 28 kills to go along with 22 digs for a double-double in a five-set road win at Benedict College. She was also a key contributor defensively, ranking second on the team with 228 digs.

As a player at Fayetteville State University, Bell played a significant part in the Broncos in 2017, spearheading them to a 21-10 overall record while receiving All-CIAA Second Team honors as an outside hitter and ranking top 20 in the conference defensively with 201 digs and offensively with 163 kills which ranked 14th and 16th, respectively. During the CIAA Volleyball Championship, she also received All-CIAA outside hitter honors.

During her career at Northeastern High School, she made varsity as a freshman, making it to the State Championship in 2012. She was her high school team's two-time Player of the Year and was an All-Conference Athlete. Bell also participated in USA Volleyball Club for Camden, Allegheny Elite, and NC Live Elite.

She received a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from Fort Valley State University and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Psychology from the University of the Southwest.

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The athletic program at Borough of Manhattan Community College encompasses a total of eight varsity teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level. For the latest news on the Panthers, please visit us at https://bmccathletics.com - The official site of BMCCAthletics. Follow the Panthers on Instagram (@bmcc_athletics) and Twitter (@BMCCAthletics), and Like Us on Facebook (BMCC Athletics).