Rachel Nieto will join the staff for the first time in 2020, but she brings a long history as a successful beach volleyball player. As a collegiate player at Long Beach State, she earned a first-team AVCA All-America honors and was a three-time first-team Big West selection. She holds the record for most wins in Long Beach State school history, playing as part of the school’s top pair for her final three seasons.
Nieto helped the Bears to a strong start to the 2020 season as Cal came out of the gates 9-1. That streak was capped with a victory over no. 5 USC at the Pac-12 South Tournament, Cal's second-ever win over a top-five team. Unfortunately, the 2020 season was cut short due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, halting Cal's season after 10 games. The Bears finished the year ranked ninth in both the AVCA and Dig Magazine polls, the highest ranking in program history.
Nieto helped Long Beach State to a runner-up finish at the 2015 AVCA Beach Volleyball Championships and helped the team qualify for the 2017 NCAA Championship. She also served as a defensive specialist on the 49ers’ indoor team throughout her collegiate career. Nieto graduated from Long Beach State in 2017 with a degree in psychology and obtained a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology from Long Beach State in 2019.
Nieto has coached with Los Alamitos High School, working with the indoor team. She has also worked with SandSoul Beach Volleyball Club and Kleos Volleyball Club. She is a native of Walnut Creek and attended Las Lomas High School.
