UMass Lowell Athletics

AS A FRESHMAN (2018): Bilyeu played in all 26 matches in her rookie season and played a total of 89 sets throughout the River Hawks 2018 season. Kate ranked first on the team in kills, accumulating 195 kills in her career. She posted a career-high 14 kills on three occasions in her rookie crusade with the River Hawks. She was named to the America East All-Rookie Team, and was named America East Rookie of the Week three times during her freshman season.

BEFORE UMASS LOWELL: Bilyeu played club volleyball for Head Coach Tony Carrow at Nebraska Elite Omaha, where she was captain all four years (2014-2018). She was a three-year varsity letter winner on her high school team at Omaha Marian. Her team was District Champions in her sophomore and junior seasons, which included an appearance in the state quarterfinal in her junior campaign. Bilyeu was a All-Metro selection and All-State Honorable Mention honoree in here sophomore season. She was selected as the student representative on the Mayor’s City Council and was chosen for the Marian M-power Committee, which enhances college opportunities with alumni.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Shannon and Thomas Bilyeu. Has a brother Bryant and sister Ella. Her father Tom played baseball at Kansas (1986-1990) and he uncle Kevin Masek played football at Rice (1993-1996). Her hobbies include working out, reading, coaching volleyball, life guarding and traveling. Bilyeu’s favorite TV shows are Criminal Minds, Riverdale and How To Get Away with Murder. Her favorite professional sports teams are the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Kansas City Royals. Her favorite sports figure and influence is LeBron James. Bilyeu’s favorite sports moment happened when she was 16. Her team was playing in a pre-national tournament in Chicago. Her team made it to gold medal game and had to play the number 13th ranked team in the country, who they ended up beating them two sets. After UMass Lowell she hopes to go to law school and work for the UN or work for the government. Bilyeu is also currently learning sign language.

WHY BILYEU CHOSE UMASS LOWELL:  "I choose to come to UMass Lowell because I fell in love with the team, coaches and campus. I also love all UMass Lowell has to offer academically.”

PROVANZANO ON BILYEU: "Kate is a perfect fit into our culture and River Hawk family.  She is a talented outside hitter that plays smart, has a powerful arm swing, and can move and read well in the back row.  More importantly, she has a great deal of potential and is always a positive teammate.  We are thrilled that she is part of our program and look forward to seeing her potential unfold as a River Hawk."