Wells Named Thunderducks Head Volleyball Coach
Grace Wells was named head volleyball coach at Dallas College Richland.
"Richland is very diverse, and I am one of them," Wells said. "I felt like I fit in better in that aspect. When I did the interview, I felt like everybody was just so friendly and very family-oriented, so I liked that. My desire is to set the program structure, and build from the bottom like a pyramid. I would like to build a strong program in a three-year time frame."
In 2022, she coached at Childress High School in Childress, Texas. From 2020-21, she was the head coach at West Texas High School in Stinnett, Texas. Wells guided West Texas High School to the Class 2A state quarterfinals in both years. West Texas won the district championship in 2021.
"After coaching in the public schools, I feel I'm getting a better understanding of the student-athlete in America," Wells said. "Teaching them skills is one thing, but teaching them the bigger picture for life: how to be upright, and teaching them how to be just a solid person, that is most important because that will influence their future in life. So I feel it is important to me that teaching them from the root, the blossoming process will follow. Without structure, without root, it's going to be hollow. I don't want hollow. I want a solid program.
In 2018, Wells spent one year as the head coach at Borger High School in Borger, Texas. Wells served as the head coach at Frank Phillips College in Borger from 2012-13. In 2013, Frank Phillips went undefeated at home.
In 2011, Wells was an assistant coach at Academy of Art University, an NCAA Division II school in San Francisco.
"Coach Wells brings an energy and passion to volleyball that is very impressive," Richland Athletic Director Lynn Nabi said. "In her interview, she said that she wanted to make Dallas College Richland a program of excellence. Her playing and coaching background would speak for itself that she is more than capable of teaching and leading our program. I know Coach Wells will lead our volleyball program, and make it successful on and off the court."
Wells was an outside hitter at Academy of Art from 2008-10 under her birth name, Dan Yang. At Academy of Art, she racked up 1,313 kills, including a school- and Pacific West Conference-record 518 in 2009. She also had 143 blocks, including 116 solos, 830 digs and 61 aces in her three-year Urban Knights career. She ranks second all time in career kills, first in kills per set (4.09), fifth in hitting percentage (.265) and seventh in digs. She was a First Team All-PacWest selection.
In 2007, Wells earned Second Team National Junior College Athletic Association Division I All-America honors at Seward Community College, where she broke the single season record for kills (860) and kills per set (5.85).
As a youth, Wells played for the Chinese National Team in 2003, winning a gold medal at the Federation of International Volleyball World Championships in Poland.
"I have always wanted to go back and coach college, but I took four years off, having my kiddos," Wells said. "Now, I felt like it's time that I finally can move to a bigger city for what I am passionate about."
Wells earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Academy of Art University. She earned a Master of Science in sports management from Texas A&M University.
She is married to Aaron Wells, and the couple lives in Frisco, Texas. They have a daughter, Anna, and a son, Eli.