LOVB Nebraska Welcomes Dennis Del Valle to Coaching Staff

Four-time Penn State All-American and longtime Puerto Rico national team libero joins Nebraska for the 2026-27 season

OMAHA, Neb. – LOVB Nebraska announced today Dennis Del Valle Villalobos has joined the staff as an assistant coach for the 2026-27 season.

A native of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, Del Valle brings 14 years of professional playing experience and 17 years with Puerto Rico’s men's national team. He joins head coach Giannis Athanasopoulos and assistant coach Karmen "Kiki" Kočar on Nebraska's staff.

"First and foremost, I am beyond excited to be part of LOVB overall, let alone going to one of the most popular states for women’s volleyball," Del Valle said. "I can't wait to see all the amazing volleyball fans there and experience everything Nebraska has to offer."

Del Valle most recently played libero for Chênois Genève in Switzerland. His professional career also included stops in Puerto Rico, Portugal and Finland, with league championships in Puerto Rico and Switzerland.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Dennis to Nebraska," said Kirsten Bernthal Booth, president of business operations for LOVB Nebraska. "His career has taken him to volleyball communities around the world and we look forward to introducing him to ours. His enthusiasm for being here is something Nebraskans will appreciate, and we can’t wait for him to experience the State of Volleyball."

Del Valle represented Puerto Rico at three world championships and helped the national team win its first NORCECA continental championship in 2021. He earned best libero and best digger honors at the tournament.

At Penn State, Del Valle earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America honors in each of his four seasons from 2008 through 2011. He helped the Nittany Lions win the 2008 NCAA championship and finished his collegiate career as the program's career digs leader.

For team news, tickets and information about the 2026-27 season, visit lovbneb.com.

About LOVB Nebraska

LOVB Nebraska is a professional women's volleyball team based in Omaha and representing the entire State of Volleyball. The team, which began play in 2025, is an inaugural member of LOVB Pro – the professional league of League One Volleyball (LOVB, pronounced "love") and the nation's first professional volleyball league built from the club level up. Through LOVB's connected youth, club and professional model, LOVB Nebraska brings world-class athletes and elite competition to one of the country's deepest volleyball cultures while growing the game, inspiring the next generation and giving Nebraskans a professional team that reflects who they are.