Bellevue University: Fountain, Kiviniemi named All-Americans; Siedlik Coach of the Year

In announcements made today by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), Bellevue University junior rightside hitter Kealy Kiviniemi and junior outside hitter Eve Fountain were both named first-team All-Americans. In addition, head coach Trish Siedlik was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year. 

Kiviniemi was named the NSAA Player of the Year and NSAA Offensive Player of the Year while also earning AVCA North Central Region Player of the Year honors. She led the team and the NSAA with 450 kills and was second with 3.36 kills per set and a .353 hitting percentage. Kiviniemi, who earned first-team all-NSAA honors for the second straight season, was third on the team with 71 total blocks. She was named the NSAA Attacker of the Week four times and registered double-digit kills in 29 matches, including 17 straight matches.  

Fountain, who earned all-tournament team honors at the NAIA National Championships, garnered first-team all-NSAA accolades for the fourth time in her Bruin career. She led the team with 3.37 kills per set and 16 double-doubles. She was second on the squad with 437 kills and 449 digs (3.45 dpg). Fountain, who earned NSAA Attacker of the Week honors twice during the season, pounded a season-high 23 kills on .413 hitting, along with 16 digs in the NAIA Championship match against Indiana Wesleyan.  

The Bruins, under the guidance of Siedlik, wrapped up the 2024 season as the NAIA National Runner-Up with an overall record of 32-5. Bellevue captured the North Star Athletic Association regular season and post-season tournament titles while advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the 17th time in school history. Their second-place finish at Nationals was the best showing in school history. In her 19th season, Siedlik nears the 700-win mark with an overall coaching record of 664-221 (.750).