Bowling Green womens volleyball coach Danijela Tomic, left, gives instructions to her team during an open practice for media at the Stroh Center. (Scott W. Grau/Sentinel-Tribune file)
The Bowling Green State University volleyball program has added five newcomers to the incoming 2024 class during the Early National Signing Day period. All five already had ties to BGSU in one way or another even before they arrive.
The Falcons will welcome three defensive specialists with Avery Anders, Katherine Eigner and Sydnie Hernandez, a setter in Anna Sitek and a right side and outside hitter Cecily Waynar.
“They all come from great families, are excellent students and teammates, and have played for winning high school and club teams,” Tomic said.
“All five bring different skills and personalities that we believe will enhance our program if they stay committed to the process of becoming the best that they can be for the team.”
Katherine Eigner will become the third Falcon in the family, joining her dad Ty and her brother Pete. Her father is the BGSU hockey coach, and Katherine lives in BG and went to Toledo St. Ursula, leading her team to the state final four.
“I chose to attend BGSU because it’s a super special place to me and my family,” Katherine said. “I felt like my values aligned with the volleyball program’s and I enjoy the way they run their program.”
Playing for St. Ursula, Eigner has aided the Arrows to back-to-back sectional championships with the 2023 season still underway.
She was also named to the Detroit Catholic High School League All-League Team. In addition to her dad and brother here at BGSU, two of Eigner’s uncles played collegiate hockey, her cousin, Lily Eigner, currently plays volleyball at Holy Cross and her sister, Ellie, plays women’s hockey at Southern Maine.
“To have Kate in our program is special not only because of her family ties to BGSU, but because we have known her since she started playing volleyball at our Lil’ Falcons clinics many years ago,” Tomic said.
“Kate’s athleticism and versatility have allowed her to play different positions on her teams, but we will focus on developing her as a defensive specialist.”
Anders (Cleveland St. Joseph) will arrive in Bowling Green from North Olmsted. She also has BGSU family ties already established. She is the sister of BGSU linebacker Darren Anders.
“I chose BGSU because of the outstanding culture that has been created,” Avery said. “The coaching staff and all the girls are amazing, extremely welcoming and will help me achieve my goals.
“I wanted to play at the highest level possible with great competition where I could learn and grow to be the best player I can be.”
Avery is currently in the midst of leading the St. Joseph Jaguars on a tournament run, advancing to the state tournament final with a 23-4 record.
This season, Anders has been named Third-Team All-District and listed on the AVCA All-American Watch List. She also earned AVCA Best and Brightest Third-Team honors.
In addition to her brother playing football at BGSU, her dad, Mark Anders, played football at Ashland and Baldwin Wallace.
“Avery has all the attributes to be an excellent libero in college,” Tomic said. “Her athleticism mixed with a highly competitive and dogged spirit is what stood out to us in the recruiting process.
“Avery is driven to be the best that she can be and with her work ethic and mindset, we are excited to be a part of her journey at BGSU.”
Hernandez will join Bowling Green from Bloomington, Ill. Playing for Normal Community West over the last three years, Hernandez has paced the Wildcats to a 101-17 record, advancing to the Elite Eight this year, the sectional championship last year and a third place finish in the state in 2021 while captaining the team the last two seasons.
“Choosing Bowling Green State University was an easy decision for me,” Hernandez said. “As I walked off of campus, I couldn’t help but think of BGSU as my new home.
“A part of me couldn’t believe how sure I was about BG. But, deep down, I knew the decision was already made.
“I can picture myself happily surrounded by the kind people of Bowling Green. The loving and small town feel of campus only made my choice easier.”
Individually, Hernandez is a two-time First-Team All-Conference recipient while being named All-State Second Team this year and All-State Honorable Mention last year. She set the program record for career digs and averaged 8.2 digs per set this season.
“Sydnie stood out to us in the recruiting process with the consistency and quality of her first contact,” Tomic said.
“She is equally good in serve receive and defensively and has all the other intangibles to be an excellent libero in college.”
Hernandez comes from an athletic family. Her sister, Averie, currently plays volleyball for Northwestern. Her brother, Cole, played football for Truman State. Her father, Johnny, played basketball at Eastern Illinois and her mom, Hilarie, played volleyball at the University of Illinois Chicago.
The lone international student-athlete of the class, Sitek will arrive in Bowling Green from Katowice, Poland, the same hometown as current Falcon freshman Edyta Waclawczyk.
Sitek is a three-time gold medalist and a two-time silver medalist at the Silesian Voivodeship Championships while being a bronze medalist of the Polish Beach Volleyball Championship.
“Anna is a proven winner and has the skills and mentality that are necessary for a setter,” Tomic said. “We like versatility in our players and Anna brings that with her beach volleyball experience and as someone who transitioned from a hitter to a setter position.”
She’s also been an annual participant in the final tournament of the Polish Championship. Individually, Sitek has been named a two-time MVP of the State Championships and was named the Best Server of the State Championships.
She has been named the Best Setter in nationwide tournaments four times and is a six-time MVP in the nationwide tournaments.
“I chose BGSU because of the wonderful family atmosphere there,” Sitek said. “I am also impressed by how much work the coaching staff puts into making their girls a better player and a better person day-to-day.
“Moreover, it is a very good university where I can develop my skills in every aspect and the amazing volleyball program allows me to combine playing volleyball and studying at a very high level.”
A second-generation BGSU volleyball member, Cecily Wayner is the daughter of Marin (Ferlic) Waynar who played volleyball for the Falcons from 1993-97.
“We are thrilled to see Cecily continue the family legacy as a member of BG volleyball,” Tomic said. “Cecily has untapped potential with her height and powerful arm swing.
“She has played mostly as a middle blocker for her high school and club teams, but we will transition her to a right side/outside hitter. She is hardworking and a great learner, so we have no doubt that she will thrive in her new role.”
Playing for the Amherst Steele Comets, Waynar is still in the midst of the 2023 season and has landed 317 kills with a .345 hitting percentage and 104 blocks.
A season ago, she landed 275 kills while hitting .396 to go along with 97 blocks. Waynar has been a three-time recipient of the Lorain County Volleyball Coaches Association honors for Academic Excellence.
At the end of the 2022 season, she was named All-Conference Second Team and All-District Honorable Mention. In addition to her mother playing volleyball at Bowling Green, her aunt, Meredith Bingham, played volleyball at Tennessee Tech and her grandfather, George Ferlic, played football at Dayton.
“I chose to attend BGSU because of the competitiveness of the program, but also the community and support I would be receiving as well,” Waynar said.
