Bella Bergmark’s volleyball journey is proof that being overlooked early does not mean you are behind. In Part 1 of this conversation, Susan sits down with Bella to talk about the path that took her from being a developing recruit in the Bay Area to UC Berkeley, the University of Texas, two national championships, and eventually a professional volleyball career. Bella opens up about changing positions during recruiting, dealing with performance anxiety, redshirting at Cal, navigating the disruption of COVID, and reaching a point where she knew she wanted more from her volleyball experience. She shares what pushed her to enter the transfer portal, how quickly Texas came calling, and what it was like stepping into a gym filled with All-Americans and competing for a role on a championship team. They also talk about the coaches who believed in Bella before she fully believed in herself, learning to trust the process, and how taking a chance on herself ultimately opened the door to a career she never imagined when she was a high school athlete. Today, Bella has played professionally in Puerto Rico, France, and with LOVB Austin, where her team won the league championship last season. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, behind, or unsure where your recruiting journey is headed, Bella’s story is a powerful reminder that your first opportunity does not have to be your final destination. Chapters 00:00 – From an overlooked recruit to Cal 04:20 – Bella’s recruiting journey and position change 07:35 – Arriving at Cal and fighting for playing time 12:25 – When volleyball stopped feeling fun 16:40 – Deciding to enter the transfer portal 20:05 – Why Bella took the chance on Texas 23:15 – The coach who believed in her 25:15 – Building belief and detaching from outcomes 28:15 – From college volleyball to playing professionally About the Guest: Bella Bergmark is a professional volleyball player and coach originally from San Francisco. She played her undergraduate volleyball at UC Berkeley before transferring to the University of Texas, where she won two national championships. Since turning pro, Bella has competed across three professional seasons — in Puerto Rico, France, and most recently with LOVB Austin, where her team won the league championship last season. Beyond competing, Bella runs volleyball clinics around the country each year and coaches athletes online through her program, the Bergmark Performance Academy, offering personalized film review and 1-on-1 coaching for players looking to take their game to the next level. She's also active on social media, sharing volleyball tips, strength and conditioning content, and volleyball humor with her audience. Off the court, she lives with her dog Freyja and her cat Mochi. Connect with Bella: LOVB Website: https://www.lovb.com/teams/lovb-austin-volleyball Instagram:@bella.bergmark Connect with Susan: Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com Follow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susank www.rallysend.com Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time. Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.
