Southern Maine Athletics

The thirteenth head coach in the history of the University of Southern Maine women's volleyball program, Diane (Marzelli) Newell is the longest-serving head coach in program history as the 2025 season will be her 12th season leading the Huskies.

In her first season (2014), Newell led the Huskies to an 18-14 overall record and the program's first postseason tournament berth with a fifth seed in the ECAC Division III New England Tournament. In the 2016 season, she guided USM to a 16-14 mark, including a spot in the Little East Conference tournament.  During her 11 seasons at the helm, Newell has compiled an overall mark of 132-165 (.444) and became the program's all-time winningest head coach on September 8, 2018, with the Huskies' win over Fitchburg State.

Newell earned her milestone 100th career win early in the 2021 season with a 3-1 win over Maine Maritime Academy on September 4. USM went on two sweep both of their opponents, picking up a 3-0 win over Saint Joseph’s College as senior captain Sophie Lindsay earned her 1000th career assist.  Since 2014, Newell has coached four All-LEC selections, one LEC Offensive Player of the Year, one LEC Rookie of the Year, and one All-New England selection. Her 132 career wins are the most in program history and her teams have reached double-digit wins in seven seasons.

Before USM, Newell spent five seasons (2009-2013) as the girls’ varsity volleyball coach at Norton (Mass.) High School where she also taught English.  During that span, Newell was named the Tri-Valley League Coach of the Year in 2012, and her team was recognized with the Sportsmanship Award in 2011 and 2012.  Prior to coaching at Norton HS, Newell was the volleyball coach at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Brighton, Mass., for two seasons (2007-2008).

A two-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll (2002, 2003) while an undergraduate at the College of the Holy Cross, Newell was a middle hitter and captain of the Crusaders’ squad in 2004.  A four-year member of the team, Newell had 401 kills, 35 assists, 168 digs and 167 blocks in 314 games.  Prior to attending Holy Cross, Newell was a three-year letter winner at Bourne (Mass.) High School and played for Bourne’s 2000 Division 2 state championship team.

A 2005 graduate of Holy Cross with a bachelor’s degree in English and Studio Arts, Newell earned her Master’s of Education from Fitchburg State University in 2013.