Bruins ink North Platte's Polk

Bellevue University head volleyball coach Trish Siedlik announced today the third signee in the class of 2022 with the addition of 5-10 OH/MB McKenzie Polk (North Platte, Neb./North Platte HS). Polk will begin her academic and athletic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2022. 

Polk, the daughter of Lance and Jamie Polk, prepped at North Platte High School under coach Clancy Hammond. 

She earned all-state honorable mention honors in 2020 while helping NPHS to an appearance in the Nebraska State Volleyball Tournament. Polk finished the 2021 season ranked seventh in the state of Nebraska (Class A) with 51 service aces. 

For her career, Polk recorded 262 kills, 101 blocks, 136 digs, and 82 service aces. 

An excellent student, Polk was a two-time Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference (GNAC) all-academic honoree. She was named to her school's Honor Roll for every quarter of her high school career. Polk is also a member of the National Honor Society. 

Polk played club volleyball for Volleyball Club Nebraska and Nebraska Gold. 

"I saw McKenzie at a tournament this summer and loved her quickness and athleticism at a couple of different positions," stated Siedlik. "She was very reliable and I really liked how she showed patience and poise in tough situations. McKenzie will add much-needed depth to our outside position which has been one of our key needs for this recruiting class." 

Polk joins earlier signees 5-10 middle blocker Liz Carbaugh (Red Oak, Iowa/Red Oak HS) and 5-4 libero/defensive specialist Audrey Sandfort (Brock, Neb./Johnson-Brock HS) in the 2022 recruiting class. 

McKenzie Polk Honors and Awards

• Finished the 2021 season in the Top 10 for service aces in Class A (7th, 51 total aces)
• 2020 Class A Honorable Mention All-State (Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal-Star)
• 2020 Class A State Quarterfinalist
• Two-time GNAC Academic All-Conference
• Career Stats: 262 kills, 82 service aces, 101 blocks, 136 digs

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.