GICC's Cloud signs with Bellevue Volleyball

Bellevue University head volleyball Trish Siedlik announced today the signing of 6-1 middle blocker Chloe Cloud (Grand Island, Neb./Grand Island Central Catholic HS) to a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2022. 

Cloud, the daughter of Timothy and Karen Cloud, lettered four seasons under legendary head coach Sharon Zavala at Grand Island Central Catholic. 

She was a two-time second-team Class C-1 all-state selection while helping the Crusaders to two appearances in the Nebraska State Volleyball Tournament including the state championship in 2019. GICC reached the semifinals of the state tournament in 2021. 

Cloud was also a two-time honoree to the all-Heartland Super Squad named by the Grand Island Independent. 

She finished her volleyball career ranked fourth in school history with 250 career blocks. Cloud registered 298 career kills with a .336 attack percentage. 

A versatile athlete, Cloud also lettered three years in basketball and track at GICC. She earned honorable mention all-state honors in basketball and was a third-team Grand Island Independent all-Heartland selection as well. Cloud helped her squad to an appearance in the 2021 Nebraska State Basketball Tournament, averaging 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting at a 56 percent clip.  

She was named to her school's Honor Roll in seven semesters while also being a part of the National Honor Society. 

Cloud played club volleyball for Nebraska Gold under coach Kris Conner.  

"Chloe's strength and physicality at the net are what initially stood out to the coaches during the recruiting process," stated Siedlik. "She is an excellent blocker that reads well, and she is low-error and efficient as an attacker. She has a quiet demeanor but we can't wait to see her come into her own and flourish on the court. Chloe is a player who has untapped talent and will immediately challenge our returners every day in practice. Her desire to get better and be a great player only excites us more!"

Cloud joins earlier signees 5-10 OH/MB McKenzie Polk (North Platte, Neb./North Platte HS), 5-10 MB Liz Carbaugh (Red Oak, Iowa/Red Oak HS) and 5-4 L/DS specialist Audrey Sandfort (Brock, Neb./Johnson-Brock HS) in the 2022 recruiting class. 

Chloe Cloud's Volleyball Honors and Awards

• 2021 Class C-1 Second Team All-State (Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star)
• 2020 Class C-1 Second Team All-State (Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star)
• 2019 Class C-2 Honorable Mention All-State (Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star)
• 2021 All-Heartland Super Squad
• 2020 All-Heartland Super Squad (Grand Island Independent)
• 2019 All-Heartland 4th Team (Grand Island Independent)
• 2021 Class C-1 State Semifinalist
• 2019 Class C-2 State Champion
• Fourth in total blocks in school history (250 career blocks)
• 298 career kills on .336 hitting efficiency

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.