Debbie Bell

Biography

Debbie Bell recently completed her eighth season at the University of Louisville. She was named Assistant Coach/Operations Coordinator in July 2023 after spending six years as the program’s director of operations. Most recently in a rebuilding year, following the loss of seven seniors due to graduation, Louisville tallied a 6-11 overall record in 2024. Aimee Plumb earned her third NFHCA All-America honor and was selected to the NFHCA All-West Region team along with Izzy Bianco. In 2023, Bell helped guide the Cardinals to a 15-7 overall record and their fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, reaching the quarterfinals for the third time in the last five years. Louisville also went 3-3 in ACC play and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament as the No. 3 seed. The Cards finished the season at No. 10 in the NFHCA Coaches' poll after spending 10 weeks ranked among the nation's the top 10, reaching as high as No. 4. Louisville also boasted one of the top defensive units in the nation, standing second in the ACC and fifth in the NCAA with a 1.08 team goals against average at the end of the season. Graduate transfer goalkeeper Merlijn van der Vegt earned NFHCA All-West Region honors and was named to the ACC All-Tournament Team. At the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, Mia Duchars and Julie Kouijzer earned NFHCA All-America honors, marking the ninth straight year the Cardinals have placed at least two players on the All-America teams, a streak which dates back to