Sandfort signs with Bruins for 2022

Bellevue University volleyball head coach Trish Siedlik announced today the signing of 5-4 libero/defensive specialist Audrey Sandfort (Brock, Neb./Johnson-Brock HS) to a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2022. 

Sandfort, the daughter of Michael and Tonya Sandfort, was a four-year letterwinner for coach Cara Williams at Johnson-Brock High School. Audrey's mother, Tonya, was a teammate of Coach Siedlik's at the College of St. Mary. 

A three-year team captain, Sandfort set school records for digs in a season (535) and digs in a career (1,717). Her career digs mark also established the Nebraska Class D-1 all-time record. 

A three-time all-conference selection, Sandfort was named an all-state honorable mention honoree all four years of her high school career. 

A versatile athlete, Sandfort lettered three seasons in track and was an all-conference and honorable mention all-state performer in basketball. 

Sandfort earned academic all-state honors in the winter of 2021 and was named to her school's Honor Roll and High Distinction every quarter of her high school career. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. 

"Audrey is a gritty, "no ball hits the floor", type of defender who truly understands the definition of hard work and commitment," said Siedlik. "She is an athletic player who can cover a wide range of court. I am confident her range will only continue to get better with additional high-level training and experience. We are excited to add Audrey to our competitive and talented group of defensive players." 

Sandfort joins earlier signee 5-10 middle blocker Liz Carbaugh (Red Oak, Iowa/Red Oak HS) in the 2022 recruiting class. 

Audrey Sandfort Honors and Awards

• 2021, Class D-2 Honorable Mention All-State (Omaha World-Herald)
• 2018-2020, Class D-2 Honorable Mention All-State (Omaha World-Herald & Lincoln Journal Star)
• 2021, Second Team Pioneer All-Conference
• 2020, Second Team Pioneer All-Conference
• 2019, Third Team Pioneer All-Conference
• Single-season school digs record (535)
• Career school digs record (1,717)
• State Class D-1 career digs record (1,717)

Bellevue ended the season with a 26-8 overall record, finishing second in both the NSAA regular season as well as the NSAA Tournament. This season also marked the 14th time BU has advanced to the NAIA National Tournament and the first time the Bruins have advanced out of pool play action into bracket play since 2000. The Bruins defeated No. 16 Ottawa (Ariz.) and No. 8 Corban before falling to top-ranked Jamestown in the NAIA Final Eight. 

The Bruins ended the 2021 season ranked No. 9 in the final NAIA Top 25 Poll.