2020 Bellevue Volleyball News

Season
71 Bruins named NSAA Scholar-Athletes
71 Bruins named NSAA Scholar-Athletes

A total of 71 Bellevue University student-athletes earned North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2020-21 academic year in an announcement made today by the conference office. 

Hawaii's Kimoto-Montgomery signs with BU volleyball
Hawaii's Kimoto-Montgomery signs with BU volleyball

The Bruin volleyball team has added its fifth signee to the 2021 recruiting class with the addition of 5-3 L/DS Raeanne Kimoto-Montgomery (Honolulu, Hawaii/Roosevelt HS). Kimoto-Montgomery will continue her academic and athletic careers at Bellevue University beginning this fall. 

Bruin Volleyball signs Iowa City High's Maya Morales
Bruin Volleyball signs Iowa City High's Maya Morales

Bellevue University volleyball under the direction of Trish Siedlik announced the signing of 5-6 libero/defensive specialist Maya Morales (West Liberty, Iowa/Iowa City HS) to a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2021. 

(L to R): Mother Debbie Sledge, Sidney Sledge, father Joe Sledge.
Siedlik announces signing of Marian's Sidney Sledge

Bellevue University volleyball head coach Trish Siedlik announced the signing of Sidney Sledge (S/RS, 5-10, Omaha, Neb., Marian HS) to a letter of intent to continue her athletic and academic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2021. 

BU Volleyball signs Waverly's Kudym
BU Volleyball signs Waverly's Kudym

The Bellevue University volleyball team under head coach Trish Siedlik announced today the signing of 5-10 middle blocker Taylor Kudym (Waverly, Neb./Waverly HS) to a letter of intent to continue her volleyball and academic careers at BU beginning later this fall. 

(L to R): Josh Vaughan, Ellie Bliemeister, Jamie Winkler, Olivia Galas, Elexis Martinez, Inaki Aldao, and Riley Baasch.
Seven honored with major awards at 47th Annual BU Athletics Banquet

All-Americans Olivia Galas (Volleyball) and Elexis Martinez (Women's Basketball) were named co-Female Athletes of the Year. All-American Inaki Aldao (Men's Soccer) and multiple school record holder Riley Baasch (Baseball) garnered co-Male Athlete of the Year accolades. Shortstop Josh Vaughan (Baseball) was recognized as the Male Academic Athlete of the Year. Shortstop Ellie Bliemeister and guard Jamie Winkler were honored as co-Female Academic Athletes of the Year. 

Siedlik inks versatile Fleischman for 2021
Siedlik inks versatile Fleischman for 2021

Bellevue University volleyball head coach Trish Siedlik announced the signing of Haley Fleischman (MB/RS, 6-0, Overton, Neb., Overton HS) to a letter of intent to continue her athletic and academic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2021. 

Olivia Galas (left) earned first-team All-American honors and was selected as the NAIA National Setter of the Year. Eve Fountain (right) garnered third-team All-American recognition.
Galas, Fountain earn All-American honors; Galas named National Setter of the Year

Junior setter Olivia Galas (Bellevue, Neb.) and freshman outside hitter Eve Fountain (Omaha, Neb.) both earned NAIA and AVCA All-American honors in an announcement made today by both organizations. Galas earned first-team honors while Fountain was named to the third team. In addition, Galas was named the NAIA National Setter of the Year. 

(L to R): Olivia Galas, Sierra Athen, Eve Fountain, Coree Lipovsky
4 Bruins named All-Region; Galas earns co-Region POY

Highlighted by co-Region Player of the Year Olivia Galas, four Bruins were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) all-North Central Region team announced today. Joining Galas on the first team was junior outside hitter Sierra Athen, freshman outside hitter Eve Fountain, and junior middle blocker Coree Lipovsky.

BU's season comes to a close with losses to No. 2 Park, No. 16 Dordt at Nationals
BU's season comes to a close with losses to No. 2 Park, No. 16 Dordt at Nationals

The 18th-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team saw its season come to a close following a pair of losses Tuesday at the NAIA Volleyball National Championship being held at the Tyson Events Center. The Bruins fell to No. 2 Park University in the opener 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-16), before dropping the finale to No. 18 Dordt University, 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 20-25, 25-14, 15-11). 

Pool Play pairings announced for NAIA National Championship
Pool Play pairings announced for NAIA National Championship

Bellevue will take on No. 2 Park and No. 16 Dordt in Pool B.

Bruins fight back for 5-set win over Rams in NAIA Opening Round
Bruins fight back for 5-set win over Rams in NAIA Opening Round

The Bellevue University volleyball team overcame a 2-1 deficit and survived two match points en route to a dramatic 3-2 (23-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-23, 18-16) victory over Texas Wesleyan University Saturday afternoon at Bellevue West High School in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.  

Bruins dominate all-NSAA volleyball post-season awards
Bruins dominate all-NSAA volleyball post-season awards

Olivia Galas, NSAA Co-Player of the Year, Setter of the Year, 1st team all-NSAA Eve Fountain, NSAA Freshman of the Year, 1st team all-NSAA Coree Lipovsky, 1st team all-NSAA Sierra Athen, 1st team all-NSAA Jacki Apel, 2nd team all-NSAA Trish Siedlik, NSAA Coach of the Year

BU earns at-large bid to Nationals: Hosts Texas Wesleyan in Opening Round
BU earns at-large bid to Nationals: Hosts Texas Wesleyan in Opening Round

 The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has officially announced the teams and Opening Round pairings for the 2020-21 NAIA Volleyball National Championship. The 48-team event will get underway with 24 National Championship Opening Round Matches at campus locations on April 17.

Viterbo storms back to win NSAA Tournament title
Viterbo storms back to win NSAA Tournament title

Third-seeded and 20th-ranked Viterbo University saved two match points in the third set before battling back to claim the North Star Athletic Association Tournament title with a 3-2 (22-25, 21-25, 28-26, 26-24, 15-4) victory over top-seeded Bellevue University Saturday afternoon at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. 

Coree Lipovsky had 10 kills on .588 hitting while adding five digs and three blocks in the victory.
BU advances to NSAA Championship with four-set win over Trojans

The top-seeded Bellevue University volleyball team advanced to the championship match of the NSAA Volleyball Tournament with a 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-19, 25-11) victory over No. 4-seeded Dakota State University Tuesday night at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.