Athlete Profile: Amelia Rice

The Oconto Falls High School volleyball team has enjoyed a strong fall season, led by a group of attackers. Senior Amelia Rice is a part of the group, and she’s been a steady performer for the Panthers all season.

Rice ranks third on the team with 97 attack kills and fourth in total blocks (14). She’s also contributed 79 digs and five aces.

In Oconto Falls’ final regular season win against Little Chute on Oct. 13, Rice finished with 13 attack kills, three total blocks and four digs.

Q: When did your interest in volleyball begin?

A: I remember around fifth grade my parents (Matt and Melanie) put me in a few volleyball camps just for fun to see if I’d like it. I picked it up pretty quickly, and I’ve loved playing the game ever since.

Q: What is your favorite part about the volleyball season?

A: Definitely getting to spend a lot of time with my friends and teammates! I enjoy laughing and just having fun with everyone, whether it’s during practice, on bus rides home from games and on the court.

Q: What has volleyball taught you over the years?

A: There are so many life lessons that volleyball has taught me, but teamwork and perseverance have to be the biggest ones. When it’s a tight set, you have to trust and rely on your teammates, picking each other up, and keep fighting for every point.

Q: Talk a bit about what your senior season was like as you and your team dealt with new guidelines because of the pandemic.

A: It was tough not having our full team together when a few of our players were out due to contact tracing, but we adjusted well. This being my senior volleyball season, it was also pretty sad not having our normal student section and crowd there cheering us on one last time.

Q: As a senior, how thankful were you to get a final season this fall?

A: Although this season looked very different than years past, I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to play one more time! During this past summer, I was worried that I might have already played my last volleyball game, so I was very excited to hear that we were getting to play this fall. I know that other schools decided not to play fall sports this year, and I am so lucky that I got the chance.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through to get ready for a match?

A: Usually I listen to music with my team while we get ready in the locker room and while we stretch to get us pumped up.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Oconto Falls volleyball team?

A: There’s so many memories, but one of my favorites has to be getting the last kill to win a tight match against Freedom in a tournament last year.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school volleyball?

A: I’ve always loved to compete in volleyball, and I’ll miss doing that for sure. But I’ll also miss the feeling you get after you get a good kill and celebrating with your teammates. I think that almost every player knows that feeling.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: TV show — Either “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Friends.” Movie — “I Can Only Imagine.” Musical artist — For King and Country.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: I love being outdoors and going on hikes in Door County with my friends and family. I go pretty often, and it’s fun every time.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: Whatever you’re doing, make it fun. Having this in the back of my head made a lot of situations more enjoyable, especially through this pandemic.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: As of right now, I plan on attending a four-year university and majoring in exercise science. Then going on to get my master’s degree and becoming an occupational therapist.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Amelia Rice

Sport: Volleyball

Positions: Outside hitter

School: Oconto Falls High School

Year: Senior