MADISON, Wis. – Riley Bell, a 5-7 defensive specialist, will join the 2017 Wisconsin volleyball team, head coach Kelly Sheffield announced on Wednesday. She is the sixth member of the Badgers freshman class that includes Danielle Hart, Sydney Hilley, Grace Loberg, Dana Rettke, and Mariah Whalen.

"In my coaching career I've never seen a high school player more willing to risk bodily harm in her pursuits to come up with a dig," Sheffield said. "Riley plays with a fearlessness and tenacity that I absolutely want to be around. She's a great young lady who will help make our program better the first day she walks through our doors."

A native of Naperville, Illinois, Bell played high school volleyball for two seasons at Neuqua Valley High School . She has played club for the past six years at Sports Performance. Her 15s team finished fifth at AAU Nationals with Bell receiving the club's C-Fed award. The award, which is named after former SPRI player and coach Christine Federico, is given to a player who best demonstrates traits for fighting spirit, hard work and dedication.

Last season, her 18s team finished seventh at nationals for club directors Rick and Cheryl Butler.