Princeton University’s water polo programs are excited to announce the addition of Bella Baia as their new assistant coach. Baia, who previously competed for UCLA, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to both the men’s and women’s teams. During her time with the Bruins, Baia was instrumental in guiding her teams to the NCAA tournament, including a national runner-up position and two semifinal appearances. Her involvement with Princeton’s water polo programs will be under the leadership of head coaches Dustin Litvak and Derek Ellingson.
Baia’s impressive career at UCLA saw her scoring 56 goals and providing 32 assists over four seasons. Her contributions were vital in reaching the NCAA finals in 2021 and the semifinals in 2019. Beyond her athletic achievements, Baia was recognized as a four-time MPSF/Pac-12 All-Academic honoree and maintained a presence on the Director’s Honor Roll throughout her college career. Her experience is not limited to her playing days; she has also been deeply involved in coaching and academic mentoring.
Head coach Dustin Litvak expressed his enthusiasm about Baia’s addition, highlighting her extensive experience with top water polo programs and her coaching pedigree, which includes training under Olympians. Litvak emphasized Baia’s strong work ethic and her deep understanding of the balance required for student-athletes. Baia’s recent work includes a master’s degree in transformative coaching and leadership, and she is also the author of a book on emotional independence. Her background suggests she will significantly contribute to the growth and success of Princeton’s water polo teams.
Since starting her coaching career in 2014 with the SOCAL Water Polo Foundation, Baia has been involved with various youth and high school teams. After graduating from UCLA, she served as the lead girls’ assistant coach at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, worked with the Premier Water Polo Club, and was a youth assistant coach with the Olympic Development Program. Most recently, she has been an Academic Mentor at UCLA, aiding student-athletes in balancing their academic and athletic commitments.
Originally from Orange, California, Baia graduated from UCLA with a degree in sociology in 2022 and earned a master’s degree in education with a focus on transformative coaching and leadership in 2023. Her diverse background and dedication make her a valuable addition to the Princeton water polo coaching staff, where she is expected to play a crucial role in advancing both teams’ successes.