Siedlik adds Bellevue West's Jacki Apel in 2020 class

Bellevue University head volleyball coach Trish Siedlik announced today the signing of middle blocker/rightside hitter Jacki Apel (Bellevue, Neb./Bellevue West HS) to a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2020. 

Apel, the daughter of Nicole and the late Brad Apel, was a three-year letterwinner for head coach Christina Krajicek at Bellevue West HS. She was an all-state honorable mention selection in 2018 as well as a two-time honorable mention all-Metro Conference pick, leading her team with 69 blocks during her senior season. She finished her career with 193 career blocks. Apel recorded 256 kills in 2019 with a .379 attack percentage. She collected 669 kills in her three seasons at BWHS. 

Apel played club volleyball for coach Bo Yong and Banzai Volleyball Club. 

"Jacki has matured into her athleticism over the last year so we are so excited about her ceiling of talent which she has not met yet," said Siedlik. "We hope that her progress after shoulder surgery will allow her to be ready to go in August. The depth we have now will thrive with her being in the mix." 

The Bruins finished the 2019 season with a 28-10 overall record, making their 12th appearance in the NAIA National Tournament after finishing second in the NSAA regular-season standings. BU advanced to the NAIA National Championship final site for the ninth time in school history and finished with a No. 19 final national ranking.