Posted 10/27/06
Rachel Miller is a senior on UW-Platteville volleyball team from Walworth, Wis., and Big Foot High School. She is an outside hitter who has had 10 or more kills five times this season. She leads UWP into Tuesday's conference playoffs (site to be determined as of press time), where the Pioneers are the defending champions.
The Yell Contest was the second largest crowd ever for the Pioneers with 1,068 in attendance. How exciting was it to play that game with that many people there supporting the team?
"Really exciting! We love it when we get a big crowd; it makes the game much more intense for us. For some reason we are much more into it when we have a bigger crowd, it's definitely exciting."
How does it feel to win 20 games again this year with such a young team?
"Kind of shocking. We were hoping for a really good season, but to get 20 wins again was really amazing, especially how young our team is. We've been able to come together and play really well as a team. It was surprising yet satisfying too considering it is my last year playing."
Being a senior, is there anything that stands out as your career highlights?
"Wow… I think that my favorite part about being on the team is the girls. We make such great friendships. Yeah, you'll remember the games and the winning against UW-Whitewater in our tournament last year, but it's going to come down to the girls and the friendships over the past four year."
Has it hit you yet as the season is coming to an end that these games could be your last?
"Kind of and it's sad. It's coming down to the thought of having the last home game and the last game where some parents are going to be watching us. It's starting to hit me. It's sad but I think that last game will probably be the breaker for me, I might break down and cry, but until then."
This is your last year with volleyball, what come next for you?
"I plan on graduating in May. I applied to PA (physicians assistant) school so hopefully that is my next step. I want to get out into the work force; I'm ready to work. I want to do something in the medical field so hopefully I get accepted. I find out in March."
Interview by Sports Information Student Assistant Heather Schaufenbil