DANBURY, Conn. – William Paterson sophomore Bella Demers (Maumee, Ohio/Maumee) was honored as the ECAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year, also securing a spot on the All-ECAC First Team that was released on Dec. 11.

She is the first Pioneer to be named the group's Defensive Player of the Year, joining teammate Cecilia Miller (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) as a WP all-ECAC selection (2023, 2024).

Demers was named to the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-Region First Team and All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Second Team while also being tabbed as the NJAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

She played in 113 sets across 31 matches during her sophomore campaign, ranking atop the NJAC in digs (572) and digs per set (5.06). The Maumee, Ohio, native was one of just three Pioneers to eclipse 500 digs in a season. She finished second in program history in single-season digs, and third in single-season digs per set.

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