Bellevue University head volleyball coach Trish Siedlik announced today that former Bruin standout outside hitter and graduate assistant coach Caitlyn Rueth will join the BU coaching staff as a full-time assistant coach. Rueth, who will assume her duties on July 1, will join Siedlik and long-time assistant coach Steve Field on the BU staff for the 2019 season.
Rueth, who served as a graduate assistant coach for the Bruins during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, was a three-year starting outside hitter for the Bruins from 2011-13. She earned first-team all-MCAC honors as a senior in 2013. She was second on the team with 367 kills and fourth in digs (348) and blocks (64). In her junior season, she registered a team second-best 439 kills while earning second team all-conference accolades.
During her career, Rueth was named the MCAC Hitter of the Week on three occasions. She finished her three-year BU career with 934 kills and 628 digs and helped the Bruins to three-straight MCAC Tournament titles and three-consecutive appearances in the NAIA Volleyball National Tournament.
"Caitlyn is coming full circle with being a player, graduate student coach, and now a full-time assistant," said Siedlik. "What a special time to have one of our own come back and grow the program through the values and goals that she also had in her career as a player. She will be able to jump in right away and offer up her expertise and leadership to these 18 young ladies that will be on a mission to further this program at the national tournament next year."
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance in 2014 and her Master of Science in Leadership and Coaching in 2016, both from Bellevue University.
Rueth, who will be working primarily with the BU pin hitters and serve as the program's recruiting coordinator, has also coached at the club and high school levels for over nine years. She started her coaching career in 2010 at Nebraska Elite working with the Youth Developmental Program, teaching fundamentals for children ages 7 through 12. Rueth has coached every age group from 12's through 18's. She was an assistant coach for Elite's 2015 squad that captured the AAU National title in the 16u Open Division. In 2017, she assisted the Millard South freshman and reserve teams while also coaching at Sunset West Volleyball Club.
"Bellevue University is committed to all of its athletic programs and wanting the very best out of their coaching staffs," added Siedlik. "We are very excited that Caitlyn is going to be a part of it! Welcome back Caitlyn!"
A native of Omaha, Rueth and her fiance, Steve Laird, are the proud parents of 11-month-old Stellyn.
