LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Bellarmine University Volleyball Coach Rick Nold announced on Wednesday that Jesse Earl will join his staff as assistant coach.
 
The announcement means that Nold and Earl will be reunited on the volleyball court as the new assistant coach was an All-American for Nold at Auburn.  
 
"I am extremely excited to welcome Jesse to the Bellarmine Volleyball family," Nold said. "Jesse is one of my favorite players I have coached, and I've loved watching her grow in this profession. I want this program to be known for our energy, passion and grit and there is no better example of that than Jesse.   Our athletes will absolutely love training with her and will flourish under her mentorship."
 
Earl, who served on the staffs of Mercer University and the University of the Incarnate Word following her graduation from Auburn, said, "I'm beyond thankful for this opportunity to join Coach Rick Nold and the Bellarmine Volleyball program. Having played for him, I know the culture, the style of play and the expectations he has, which I think will make us a great team. He is a great coach and leader, and I am excited to be able to contribute to the growth and success of this program. I can't wait to get to Louisville and get to work!"
 
A standout libero as a player, Earl was a two-time team captain at Auburn and became the Tigers' first AVCA All-American, earning honorable mention honors as a senior in the fall of 2017.  She also was named Auburn's Female Athlete of the Year in 2017. Away from campus, Earl was named to the 2017 USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team and competed in Europe.
 
A native of Indiana, Earl played high school volleyball for Lawrence North in Indianapolis and competed for Munciana in club volleyball, where her teams finished in the nation's top three for six consecutive years. She signed with Xavier University out of high school and played her freshman season for the Musketeers, starting every match at libero and earning four "Freshman of the Week" awards in the Big East.
 
Earl earned her bachelor's degree from Auburn in 2018 and received a master's degree in higher education leadership from Mercer in 2020.