Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcon Volleyball Adds Four to Fold
February 04, 2000 | Volleyball
Feb. 4, 2000
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University volleyball coach Denise Van De Walle has announced the addition of four student-athletes to the program. Susie Norris (Bascom, Ohio/Hopewell-Loudon), Nadia Bedricky (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams), Sara Sikorski (Sterling Heights, Mich./Henry Ford II) and Bridget Protas (Holly, Mich./Holly) have signed letters of intent and will play for the Falcons this fall.
Norris, a 5-10 left-side hitter, currently attends Hopewell-Loudon High School. She was the Ohio Division 4 Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection this past fall after helping the team to a third state title in her tenure. Norris currently plays for the Toledo Volleyball Club under BGSU volunteer assistant coach Wendy Teaman.
Norris also plays on the defending state champion Hopewell-Loudon basketball team. Additionally, she is a world record-holder in unicycling, having set the mark in the slow boards forward event in 1995. Norris, who has a 3.6 grade point average, plans to major in education at BGSU.
"I wanted Susie to become a Falcon the first time I saw her in the summer of 1998," said Van De Walle. "She is the ideal left-side player. She is a great jumper, a great passer and has a fast arm swing. I think Susie will challenge for a starting spot right away, and she will add a great deal of competition to our left sides. BG is the perfect fit for her, as both her parents are BG grads."
Bedricky, a 5-10 outside hitter, currently attends Rochester Adams High School. She was a Class A Third-Team All-State selection last winter (NOTE: Michigan's high-school volleyball season takes place in the winter). She is a two-time all-league, all-area and all-metro selection entering her senior season. A member of the USA Michigan Volleyball Club, Bedricky plans to major in legal studies or international business at BGSU.
"Nadia is the complete package," said Van De Walle. "She is an outstanding athlete that can do everything we need. She can play all three front-row positions, she is a primary passer, and she can even set if we need her to do that. I am really excited to work with Nadia, as she will bring a great deal to our program."
Sikorski, a 5-9 setter, is in her senior year at Henry Ford II High School, the alma mater of current Falcon Caty Rommeck. Sikorski has earned All-Macomb County honors in each of her first three years, and was a first-team all-district selection last winter after earning second-team honors the season prior. Last year, she captained the Henry Ford squad, and was named the team's MVP. Sikorski earned four basketball letters, and -- like Bedricky -- is a member of the USA Michigan Volleyball Club. A National Honor Society member with a 3.8 GPA, she plans to major in social work at BG.
"Sara is the type of player you have to have in your program, especially as a setter," said Van De Walle. "She is an extremely hard worker, very dedicated and has shown very good leadership skills, which is critical for the setter. She will come in to the program and challenge Natalie (Becker) for her spot as starting setter. Sara has everything it takes to be great for us. She just needs more experience at a high level. I believe the team will respond very well to her style."
Protas, a 6-1 middle hitter/blocker, is in her senior season at Holly High School. She was her team's MVP last year, and also earned all-league and all-region honors. Like the other two recruits from the state of Michigan, Protas plays club ball for the USA Michigan Volleyball Club. Protas, who has a 3.7 GPA, plans to major in pre-medicine.
"Bridget may be the steal of the year," said Van De Walle. "Not too many people knew about her, and I am very glad about that. She is a competitive, 6-1, strong athlete that can touch the rim. Bridget has not been playing high-level volleyball for very long. Once she gains the experience she needs she will definitely be turning some heads. I feel very fortunate to have her in our program."
The Falcons posted an overall record of 21-11 in 1999, finishing with a MAC record of 12-6. BGSU loses four senior starters off of that squad.
BGSU VOLLEYBALL SIGNEES--
Name_________________Ht.___Yr.*___Pos._____Hometown (High School) Nadia Bedricky______5-10___Fr.___LS/RS_____Rochester Hills, Mich. (Rochester Adams) Susie Norris________5-10___Fr.____LS_______Bascom, Ohio (Hopewell-Loudon) Bridget Protas_______6-1___Fr._____M_______Holly, Mich. (Holly) Sara Sikorski________5-9___Fr._____S_______Sterling Heights, Mich. (Henry Ford II) * denotes year of eligibility for the 2000 season
