Vanessa Vella was named an assistant coach for the Valparaiso University women's soccer program in March of 2011.

Vella arrived at Valpo from the University of San Diego where she spent the two seasons in the same capacity.  The Toreros went 23-15-4 and were nationally-ranked both seasons while she was on staff and earned a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.

She has also gained coaching experience serving as the girls U15 and U18 premier coach for the San Diego Surf Soccer Club from 2007 through 2011, and prior to that spent 2005-2007 as a varsity assistant coach for La costa Canyon High School in California, helping lead the school to the CIF Division I semifinals twice.

Vella was a four-year letterwinner at the University of San Diego, earning All-West Coast Conference accolades as a senior.  A member of the WCC All-Freshman Team in 2004, Vella and the Toreros earned a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, and were ranked as high as ninth nationally during her senior season.  A standout defender for San Diego, she finished her career with 15 assists.

Vella also was a member of the San Diego Surf Soccer Club from 1998-2004, winning a national championship in 2003.

A 2008 graduate of San Diego, Vella earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology.  She holds her CYSA “D” License.