ITTA BENA, Miss. – Mississippi Valley State volleyball junior Jessica Bell developed her competitive spirit as a child growing up outside Dallas, Texas.
"As a young child, my older brother and I - it was just us two." Bell said. "So we did everything."
That sibling rivalry transformed into a burning desire to play sports, and Jessica tried it all.
"I started off with gymnastics - I thought I'd be big in that. Then I tried the basketball route and soccer routes. In the seventh grade, when you can start playing sports in my school district, I started playing volleyball and running track. When I got to high school, I chose volleyball."
Six years later, she is preparing to enter her third season as a volleyball player for the Devilettes. Her position as libero is easy to spot on the floor - she's the one in a different color jersey from her teammates. In the rules of volleyball, a libero is a defensive specialist who plays in the back row on the court. The term comes from the Italian word for "free", since interchanging the libero with another player does not cost their team a substitution (NCAA rules allow for 15 subs in a set).
Bell shined as Valley's libero with 417 digs, an average of 3.59 per set. The effort earned her a spot on this year's All-SWAC Preseason Team as a defensive specialist.
"The feeling [on receiving the award] was great." Bell said. "It was really a shocker. I was shooting to be on the postseason All-SWAC team last year, but I was happy for the other girls. There's a lot of great liberos in the SWAC. But to be on the team this year, I'm very humbled and blessed. It's going to push to go even higher, get more digs, get Defensive Player of the Year and shoot for as the best I can be."
Her passion for the sport intensified in her sophomore year at Duncanville High School in Texas. Over the next three years, she helped guide the Panthers to the second round of the playoffs and took the next step in the game by playing on the club level. It was her club director that linked Bell with Valley, but there was another Mississippi HBCU that tried to recruit her as well.
"It came down to Valley and Alcorn. I loved Alcorn too but when I came to Valley it was different. On campus, everyone greeted me warmly. I also had a great conversation with Coach Hunter, so I signed in March of my senior year. And looking ahead, I knew I wanted to change this program and bring a lot of different aspects. I'm very happy with the decision, and I'm making the most of my time here at Valley."
Life from the Dallas suburbs to the Mississippi Delta was an adjustment to be sure. But aside from one unwelcome neighbor, Bell has found a home in Itta Bena.
"I didn't know the mosquitoes were so bad!" Bell said. "So I had some allergic reactions my freshman year. But I adapt well to any place I'm at - so it was a change, but it didn't affect me as much as people think. I like it here!"
Another element she had to get used to was the pace of play.
"The game speed, of course, is a huge adjustment. My freshman year was a shock - how fast the game can get. I thought Duncanville was fast until I got here. But that's what is so fun about volleyball. The adrenaline keeps me on my toes, and I love it."
Despite the obstacles, she found her groove. A starter as a freshman, she earned 380 digs in her rookie campaign, and held that stride as a sophomore. Her academic career was hitting strides as well, and she found a niche in the personal environment that Valley champions.
"The classroom sizes are perfect. The teachers know you by name. I had some of that in high school, but you can get that one-on-one with the professors. They try to have a relationship with you. The student body is about the same size, but you get more out of the professors and I'm thankful for that. It's taught me to buckle down more, put academics first and volleyball second. I have fun, too - you can't get these years back - but I'm more locked in."
One bump on the road has been the win-loss column for volleyball. Bell and her teammates won eight games in 2017 and six last season, missing out on the SWAC Championship in both years. However, there's a belief that the Devilettes can turn it around with some camaraderie.
"It's going to start with the off the court bound. We've always had the talent. Just getting that bond, that gel, that glue - everybody trusting and connecting on the court. Bringing that chemistry from off the court will help on the court so we can have fun with it."
Bell's work ethic is evident in her daily life. A biology major, she hopes to use her mental talents after graduation by working in healthcare.
"I have two plans in mind. The first one is the medical school route, where I'd go back home and go to UT Southwestern. It's a great school and hospital. But my second plan would be occupational therapy, and help people get back on their feet. I want to be in the healthcare field - just have to figure out a plan."
Her passion for sports could also lend a hand in determining her career choice.
"I first thought about becoming an athletic trainer but my parents encouraged me to go higher. They said 'Go be a doctor! Go be a nurse.' Ever since then, I wanted to be in this field. I'd like to be around athletes as well, which makes me lean towards OT or PT [physical therapy]. But there'll always be a job in the healthcare field, and that's another reason."
Whichever path Bell chooses, there is no doubt the competitive spirit fostered in her backyard with her brother, which continues as a volleyball player in Mississippi will help her in her career and beyond.
"I'm very competitive. It's amazing to see how others can get competitive too. And you can use those principles in life. The lessons learned on the court can be used in the real world."
And for those who wish to follow in her footsteps to Mississippi Valley State, Bell offers this piece of advice.
"Keep an open mind. A lot of people underestimate Valley, but there's a lot of great opportunities here. You just have to be willing to take in what we have to offer. Don't be afraid to ask questions and make the best of what you have."
