Bellevue University head volleyball coach Trish Siedlik announced today the signing of 5-4 defensive specialist/libero Taylan Keefer (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Abraham Lincoln HS) to a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2020.
Keefer, the daughter of Wayne and Amy Keefer, was a four-year letterwinner at Abraham Lincoln High School under coach Katie Darrington. She helped lead the Lynx to an appearance in the 2019 Iowa State Tournament in Iowa's largest class (5A).
A two-time team captain, Keefer earned all-city, all-conference, all-district, and honorable mention all-state honors in 2019. She was also named the Missouri River Conference's defensive player of the year in 2019.
She finished her career with over 1,000 digs and finished her senior campaign with a state-leading 562 digs (5.68 digs per set).
A versatile athlete, Keefer qualified for the Iowa State Track and Field Championships in 2016 and 2017 in the shuttle hurdle relay. She also qualified for the prestigious Drake Relays in 2018 in the 4x100 relay.
She played club volleyball for Southwest Iowa Third Degree Volleyball Club under coach Sam Bohnet.
"Not only is she a calm presence on the court, but Taylan is a hard worker that will make things happen for us," said Siedlik. "Her winning experience in tough match situations will be a smooth transition for her here."
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.
