Bellevue University head volleyball coach Trish Siedlik announced today the addition of 5-7 defensive specialist Machaela Puck (Bennington, Neb./Chadron State/Bennington HS) to a letter of intent to continue her athletic and academic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2019.
Puck, who played one season at NCAA Division II Chadron State College, will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
The daughter of Todd and Julie Puck, Machaela participated in four matches during her freshman season at CSC, helping the Eagles to an 8-19 overall record and a 6-12 mark in the Rock Mountain Athletic Conference. She was named to the Chadron State President's List in the fall of 2018.
Puck finished her senior year at Bennington HS with 294 digs, 48 blocks, 50 service aces, and 150 kills. As a senior, Puck ranked fourth in the state in Class B in service aces and earned honorable mention all-conference accolades. She ranked 13th in the conference with 3.1 digs per set as a junior and twice earned academic all-conference honors.
"We are excited to add another player that will contribute on the defensive side of our program," said Siedlik. "Having one of the largest squads in the history of the program, Macheala will be adding strong competition to a solid passing team. We are so glad to be able to help her continue playing so that she can be closer to home."
An excellent student at BHS, Puck was named to the school's Dean's List, President's List and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Puck played club volleyball for Nebraska Elite where she helped her team qualify for the 2018 USA Nationals in Anaheim, Calif.
Puck becomes the ninth signee in BU's 2019 recruiting class, joining earlier signees: defensive specialist/setter MacKenna Brown (Maple Lake, Minn./Anoka-Ramsey CC/Maple Lake HS), middle blocker Nicole Meyer (Murdock, Neb./Elmwood-Murdock HS), middle blocker Kloe Ruth (Rising City, Neb./David City Aquinas HS), setter Riley Burcham (Georgetown, Texas/Gateway College Prep) middle blocker Paige Hays (Glenwood, Iowa/Glenwood HS), 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).
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.
