Siedlik signs South Dakota's Hawkey for 2022

The Bellevue University volleyball program under the direction of head coach Trish Siedlik announced today the fifth signee in the 2022 recruiting class. The newest Bruin is 5-10 outside hitter Ryen Hawkey (Tea, S.D./Tea Area HS). She will begin her academic and athletic careers at Bellevue University beginning in the fall of 2022. 

Hawkey, the daughter of Shad and Patti Hawkey, was a three-year starter under Tea Area High School head coach Eric Thein. She was named second-team all-Region in 2021 and was a two-time all-conference selection. Hawkey was voted her team's Offensive MVP in 2021 and the recipient of the Titan Award, which recognizes leadership, selflessness, effort, and hard work within the Tea Area volleyball program. 

Hawkey was named one of the five "Champions of Character" honorees at her school for the 2021-22 academic year. 

She broke the school record for career service aces, finishing her high school career with 130 aces, surpassing the old mark of 125. 

Hawkey also participated in cross country where she broke the school's 3-kilometer record in 2017. 

Hawkey played club volleyball for coach Riley Freeland at Kairos Elite VBC in Sioux Falls, S.D. 

She was selected to the Adrenaline Volleyball Future 50 which is an elite camp that recognizes the top 50 players in the state of South Dakota. Hawkey was also named to the list of the top 40 juniors in South Dakota the previous season. 

An excellent student, Hawkey was named to her school's Honor Roll in 13 quarters and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a three-time academic all-state honoree.  

"Ryen is motivated to learn," stated Siedlik. "Her maturity and knowledge of the game are only going to get better surrounding herself with others that truly enjoy working towards a lofty, unified goal. We were really drawn to Ryen's personality and communication style and know she will fit right in as part of the Bruin Volleyball family." 

Hawkey joins earlier signees 6-1 MB Chloe Cloud (Grand Island, Neb./Grand Island Central Catholic HS), 5-10 OH/MB McKenzie Polk (North Platte, Neb./North Platte HS), and 5-4 L/DS specialist Audrey Sandfort (Brock, Neb./Johnson-Brock HS) in the 2022 recruiting class. 

Ryen Hawkey's Honors and Awards

• 2021 3rd Team Dak-12 All-Conference
• 2021 2nd Team 4A All-Region
• 2021 Future 50 Member (top 50 players in SD)
• Career school service aces leader (129)
• 2020 Honorable Mention Dak-12 All-Conference
• Career Stats: 476 kills, 668 digs, 130 service aces, 24 blocks

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.