By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team and head coach Jeannette Phillips welcomed another piece for the Golden Eagles Friday, announcing the signing of Bella Powell as a part of the 2023 signing class. The Jacksonville, Ill. native will make her move to Cookeville following the fall semester and compete as part of Tech's inaugural beach volleyball team set to kick off its first-ever season in the spring.
Bella Powell
Outside Hitter | 5'10 | Jacksonville, Ill. (Lincoln Land CC) | JNVBC (Club)
Powell spent the past three seasons at Lincoln Land CC, improving each season and breaking out with a monster 2022 campaign. The incoming junior led the team with 3.42 kills per set, totaling over 600 while also averaging 0.55 service aces and 2.73 digs. For her efforts, Powell took home spots on both the All-Region 24 First Team and All-Mid-west Athletic Association First Team.
During the 2021 season, the newest addition to the Golden Eagle signing class finished second on the Loggers' squad with 3.0 kills per set for the year while hitting .240 and averaging 1.30 digs and 1.03 blocks per set. Her production led to All-MWAC Honorable Mention honors and a place on the All-Region 24 Second Team. As a true freshman in the 2020-21 spring season, Powell racked up 2.9 kills per set in 18 matches. She also posted 1.58 digs, 0.42 aces, and 0.76 blocks per set.
Attending Routt Catholic High School, she competed in both volleyball and softball. On the court, Powell was a three-time team MVP, collecting the honor as a freshman, sophomore, and junior. During her first prep season, she took home All-Western Illinois Valley Conference Second Team honors before earning First Team accolades as a sophomore.
She upped the ante as a junior, picking up another First Team nod while representing the top pick of the All-Conference team. Powell was forced to sit out her senior campaign at RCHS due to injury before signing with LLCC.
"Bella is a force that we can't wait to add to our roster," Phillips explained. "She is competitive and she owns her winning mentality. She will join us in the spring for our first beach season, so she will have the opportunity to start at Tech and experience something brand new. We expect her to be ready to contribute immediately and we are excited to see her flourish at Tech."
Photo by Thomas Corhern
