Bruin head volleyball coach Trish Siedlik announced today the fourth signee in the 2019 class with the addition of 5-9 middle blocker Paige Hays (Glenwood, Iowa/Glenwood HS). Hays signed a letter of intent to continue her athletic and academic careers at Bellevue University beginning in the fall of 2019.
Hays, the daughter of Bret and Roni Hays, was a three-year starter at middle blocker at Glenwood HS, the last two under head coach Chelsey Hirt. She helped the Rams reach the third round of regionals for the first time in school history in 2017. Hays was also named to the KMALand All-Star Volleyball Team in 2018 and was a member of the all-tournament team at the KMALand All-Star Volleyball Series.
She played club volleyball at Attack Volleyball Club for coaches Scott Huttman and Mark Andrews. Hays twice helped her team qualify for USA Junior Nationals in 2014 (Minneapolis, Minn.) and in 2016 (Indianapolis, Ind.).
A two-year letterwinner in track, Hays helped the Rams win the Hawkeye 10 Conference title in 2016.
"Paige will add depth to a couple of our positions with her blocking," said Siedlik. "We are not quite sure where she will make a home, but she is versatile enough to be a middle or a pin hitter. We are looking forward to one of our largest rosters in 2019 and she will help that! Paige is a wonderful young lady and will be a good fit for our culture and team chemistry."
An excellent student, Hays earned Hawkeye-10 academic all-conference honors in 2018. She also was a member of the school's Honor Roll from 2015-18 and a recipient of the IHSGAU Distinguished Academic Achievement Award from 2015-18. She was also named to the National Honor Society in 2018-19.
Hays joins earlier signees outside hitter Paige Holdsworth (Omaha, Neb./Millard North HS), defensive specialist/outside hitter Jacey Klassen (Hampton, Neb./Hampton HS), and middle blocker Brooklyn Hundt (Underwood, Iowa/Tri-Center HS) in the 2019 recruiting class.
The Bruins finished the 2018 season with a 23-12 overall record, advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the third-straight season and the 11th time in school history.
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| (L to R): Father Bret Hays, Paige Hays, BU head volleyball coach Trish Siedlik, mother Roni Hays. |
