College of Charleston Athletics

Justin Bass is in his second season with the Charleston volleyball program and has made an immediate impact with the team's defensive efforts after being named to the staff in February of 2023.

In Bass' first season, the Cougars finished at the top the CAA in digs, averaging just over 16 per set, a mark good enough for 28th in the nation. In 2024, he helped lead Charleston to one of its best seasons in program history, finishing as regular season and conference champions with a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. CofC's 17 home victories in the regular season were the most among non-Power 4 programs and only second to Nebraska's 18

The Cougars were one of the best defensive teams in the country in all fronts, sitting in the top-five nationally throughout the season in total blocks and opponent hitting pct. Charleston's 2,109 total digs also ranks top-25 in the nation, while the team's 348.0 total blocks set a program record. CofC collected 10-plus blocks in 17 of its 34 matches, including 14-plus in nine contests. The team also held opponents to a .130 attacking percentage or worse in 18 of the 34 games and below .100 in 12 matchups.

Bass' efforts led to libero Tynley Smeltzer being named 2023 and 2024 CAA Libero of the Year, the first player in program history to win a major conference award in back-to-back seasons. Smeltzer also earned 2023 first-team all conference honors and 2024 second team honors. Additionally, Bass played a large role in the success of transfers Emily Banitt, Caitlyn Callahan, Emily Dykes and Allie Holland in 2024. Banitt and Callahan both earned first-team all conference awards while Holland was named the 2024 CAA Tournament MOP. Callahan and Holland finished the year with the most blocks by a pair of Charleston teammates since 2006. For her efforts on the court and in the classroom, Callahan was named College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American Third Team, the third player in program history to earn the honor.

In 2023, the Cougars reached 11 conference wins for the first time since 2018 and followed that with a 15-3 record in the CAA in 2024 en route to earning the CAA Championship title for the first time since 2013.

Bass came to Charleston from Newberry where he led a defense that saw two South Atlantic Conference Defensive Players of the Week as well as several individual defensive school records broken. He spent two seasons at Newberry as an assistant helping guide the Wolves to 26 wins.
 
Prior to Newberry, Bass spent three seasons at North Greenville where the Crusaders won 18 matches each of his first two seasons then went 12-0 and won the Conference Carolinas regular-season championship in Spring 2021. Bass’ spring 2021 defense was one of the best in the country holding opponents to a hitting percentage of .108 – the 8th-best mark in Division II.
 
Bass also spent one season as the assistant coach at powerhouse Dorman High School in Spartanburg helping lead the program to their 13th state title.
 
He began his collegiate coaching at USC Upstate in 2016 and spent two seasons with the Spartans coaching a defense that finished 6th in Division I in team digs. The Spartans also made their first ever run to the ASUN Volleyball Tournament semifinals under his watch.
 
Bass graduated from USC Upstate with degrees in Psychology and Communications.