High School: Comes in at No. 3 on the 2016 Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 ... ranked No. 3 PrepVolleyball Senior Ace ... 2015 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year ... named the MaxPreps Junior of the Year and PrepVolleyball National Sophomore of the Year ... 2016 Under Armour first-team All-American ... 2016
USA Today All-USA Preseason Team member ... two-time member of USA Volleyball National team ... served as captain of the 2016 Junior National Team ... participated in the 2015 World Championships as a member of the Youth National Team ... two-time first-team all-state honoree for Coach John Yunker .. the Rebels qualified for three Minnesota State AAA championships, finishing second in 2016 and third in 2015 ... two-time state all-tournament pick ... four-time all-conference honoree ... broke her high school's record for kills with nearly 1,400 kills ... also played with Minnesota Select under coaches Scott Jackson and George Padjen ... Select won the 2016 Junior National Championship with Hilley earning MVP honors ... three-time AAU All-American, leading her team to three top-three finishes
Personal: Parents are Christy and Mike Hilley ... father played football at North Dakota State from 1986-90 ... has two siblings - Alex (21) and Sami (15) ... born July 24 ... major is undeclared
Why Wisconsin?
"I loved the culture of the volleyball program and how every day winning a National Championship is the goal. I also loved the campus and it was close enough to home so my family can come watch the matches."
Off the court with Sydney
Favorites - Spot on campus: Field House; Cartoon Character: Spongebob Squarepants; Movie: The Sandlot; Celebrity: Justin Bieber; Food: Milkshakes, Alfredo, Blackberries; TV Shows: The Office and How I Met Your Mother; Athlete: Kevin Durant; Ice Cream Flavor: Dark Chocolate; Volleyball Player: Kerri-Walsh; Sports team:
First started volleyball: First grade
Most memorable volleyball match: National Championship at USA Nationals during club last year or State Championship match for high school last year
My favorite thing about Wisconsin volleyball is: The culture
Before each match, I: Listen to music, visualize the game
One word that describes the team: Driven
One word that describes me: Competitive
Favorite thing to do off the court with my teammates is: Cook meals together
Most memorable volleyball achievement: Winning USA Nationals my 18s year
Is there something significant about your uniform number? I was No. 22 for nine years of club because that was my dad’s number, then for high school No. 2 was the closest thing, and so I’ve stuck to that.
The best thing about the Field House is: The crowd
If I could change one volleyball rule, it would be: Setters can pick balls that are across the plane
Dream as a collegiate player: Win a national championship
The best thing about Madison is: The college feel
Person most admired/role model: My brother
I can’t live without: Music and my family
Weird thing about me that almost no one knows: I hate bellybuttons
Nobody knows how much I love to: Sing in the car
Greatest Invention of the last 100 years: iPhone
Non-athletic talent I would like to have is: Singing or dancing
If I had a million dollars, I would: Buy all new clothes and makeup and save the rest
How would you like to change the world? Help protect the environment (especially polar bears)
What are you most thankful for? My family
What are you passionate about? Volleyball
My favorite saying or a phrase I use all the time is: “What in tarnation?” or saying “Textbook execution” when someone gets a good kill
The best advice I have ever gotten is: Hard-work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard
Biggest pet peeve: Slow walkers, eating noises
If you had a magic lamp and a genie who granted you three wishes, what would the three wishes be? To have unlimited wishes
What does it mean to be a Badger?
"Being a Badger means giving everything you have to the team - to the common goal. Every day you’re in the gym, you’re getting one percent better and pushing your teammates to do the same. You wear the W with pride."
