Nia Reed
Biography
Personal: Reed's family has a rich sporting legacy. Her mother, JoMoree Miller, was a basketball player at Kansas State from 1992-94, and her father, Petiri Reed, played basketball at Wesleyan University. Moreover, her grandmother, Vivian Brown Reed, excelled in track and field at Tennessee State. She earned two Gold medals at the 1963 Pan American Games in the 200-meter dash and 400-meter relay and also participated in the 200-meter dash at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Reed herself has been honored as the New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year from 2011 to 2013, adding to the legacy of excellence in her family's sporting heritage.
Other Professional Experience: Reed has established herself since 2019, contributing her skills to six different teams. Her most recent professional endeavor took her to Criollas de Caguas in Puerto Rico. Notably, she earned recognition as a 2023 Korean V League All-Star while playing with Gwangju Pepper Savings Bank AI PEPPERS in South Korea. Her journey also includes being a member of the 2021-22 Brazilian Cup Champion squad with Sesi Vôlei Bauru, where she was honored as the Best Opposite and the highest point scorer in the Brazilian Super League. Furthermore, Reed was a part of the Bronze medal-winning team at the 2021-22 South American Championship, showcasing her prowess on the international stage. Her professional career has also spanned across countries, with stints in Brazil, France, and Turkey.
International Experience: Reed has been a valuable member of the 2022 United States Senior National Team. She made her debut at the Volleyball Nations League, contributing to Team USA's success. Her achievements include helping Team USA secure a Bronze medal at the 2022 Pan American Cup and earning a Silver medal at the 2022 Pan Am Cup Final Six.
At Penn State: Reed was a five-year letter winner at Penn State, where she graced the court from 2014 to 2018. Over the course of her college career, she appeared in 71 matches and played in 178 sets, including a career-high of 103 sets as a senior. Her journey began with a redshirt season in 2014, but she contributed significantly as a member of the 2014 NCAA Championship team with the Nittany Lions. In 2017, she played a pivotal role in leading Penn State to the Big Ten Conference title. Her college career concluded with impressive statistics, including 415 kills and a .248 hitting percentage. She also tallied 102 total blocks. Notably, Reed's contributions earned her a spot on the 2018 AVCA All-Northeast Region Team, and she received recognition on the AVCA Honorable Mention All-America Team in 2018. Her senior season was marked by 30 appearances, where she led the Nittany Lions by averaging 3.26 kills per set. She also boasted a .253 hitting percentage while accumulating 385.0 points. Throughout her senior season, she registered 10 or more kills in a match 18 times, including a pair of 20-kill performances. Her college journey featured various roles, with appearances in 25 matches as a redshirt junior, 14 contests in 2016, and 21 sets as a redshirt freshman in 2015, totaling 20 kills with six blocks.