BELTON, Texas — The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announced the hiring of Nicole Dalby as the head coach for the beach volleyball program on Wednesday.
Coach Dalby spent 11 successful seasons (2014-2023) as the head indoor volleyball coach and assistant athletic director at Concordia University Texas, where she amassed 140 career victories—the second-most wins in that program's history. Dalby will also serve as the interim indoor coach for the 2026 season as a nation-wide search continues for that position.
Dalby led the Tornados to seven postseason appearances, highlighted by a dominant run of five consecutive trips to the conference tournament semifinals. She engineered the most successful season of Concordia's modern era in 2019, guiding her squad to a 23-7 overall record (12-3 ASC) and earning West Coach of the Year.
Prior to her tenure in Austin, Dalby spent seven seasons at the NCAA Division I level, making assistant coaching stops at Western Carolina University, the University of South Alabama and Nicholls State University. Dalby has mentored more than 50 all-conference selections and a Division I national leader in digs per set.
"I am truly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to join the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor family as the next beach volleyball coach," Dalby said. "I want to sincerely thank Dr. Randy O'Rear and Dr. Hunter Sims for giving me the chance to be a part of something so special. Throughout my coaching journey, I have always trusted that God places us where we are meant to serve, lead and make an impact. I'm excited to pour into these young women and create a program centered on faith, growth and pursuing excellence together every day. I cannot wait to begin this next chapter and be part of the Belton community once again."
Dalby graduated from UMHB in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science before earning a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from Nicholls in 2010. As a student-athlete, Dalby was a standout setter at Hill College, capturing a North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference (NTJCAC) title, before continuing her collegiate playing career at UT Dallas.
Dalby is a native of Belton. She and her husband have two daughters.
