Nygren signs with Bellevue volleyball program

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University volleyball program has announced today the signing of 5-6 defensive specialist/outside hitter Maddison Nygren (Mead, Neb./Mead HS) to a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at Bellevue beginning in the fall of 2014.

The daughter of Dale and Kristen, Nygren was coached by Keshia Havelka at Mead High School where she was a three-time all-state selection by the Lincoln Journal-Star and a two-time all-state honoree by the Omaha World-Herald.

"Maddy will join the long list of three-sport athletes that joined our program and were huge assets to the team," said head coach Trish Siedlik. "She is quick and has a vertical that will be helpful in our backcourt offense. We are excited to have another Mead, Neb. student-athlete join us."

Nygren also lettered in basketball and track and field for the Raiders. She has qualified for the Nebraska Class D state track meet three years and holds the school records for hitting percentage in a season as well as the 200 and 400 meter runs. 

She played club volleyball for the Mead Juniors Volleyball Club under Scott Selko.

Nygren also excelled in the classroom where she was an honor roll student, a two-time academic all-state selection and a member of the National Honor Society at MHS. She intends to major in health and human performance at Bellevue.

Nygren joins earlier signees Kamille Smith (Spencer, Okla./Midwest City HS), Rachel Wald (Omaha, Neb./Douglas County West HS), Pimi Dike (Bellevue, Neb./Bellevue  West HS), Taylor Holz (Omaha, Neb./Skutt Catholic  HS), Gracie Myers (Treynor, Iowa/Treynor HS), Hope Lambrecht (Wood River, Neb./Wood River HS) and Hannah Taylor (Hallam, Neb./Lincoln Christian HS) in the 2014 recruiting class.

The 2013 Bruins finished the season with a 34-9 overall record and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the seventh-straight season.