SportsVolleyball

Spiker epitomizes student-athlete; Rice takes position as team leader

Senior Denise Rice, a four-year veteran, is hopeful that the women's volleyball team will reach the playoffs this year. Rice keeps busy with a work-study job, working at Disneyland and a senior project for her sociology degree. To relax, Rice enjoys reading and listening to music. / photo by Rhidian Maehl
Senior Denise Rice, a four-year veteran, is hopeful that the women’s volleyball team will reach the playoffs this year. Rice keeps busy with a work-study job, working at Disneyland and a senior project for her sociology degree. To relax, Rice enjoys reading and listening to music. / photo by Rhidian Maehl

by Scott Harvey
Staff Writer

Whether it is spiking, blocking, digging or just plain getting the job done, University of La Verne senior Denise Rice is always on top of things.

Originally from Vista, Calif., in the San Diego area, the 5’10” Rice is a four-year starter and the only senior on the women’s volleyball team.

“I came into the program with six other girls, as a freshman, but I am the only one who stayed on the team,” said Rice.

This year Rice takes on a new responsibility as team leader after a great 1995 season. That proved to head coach Jim Paschal and assistant coach Don Flora that she was ready to lead the way for the Leopards. Looking back on Rice’s career at La Verne, Flora had nothing but positive things to say.

“Denise came into the program as a starter with the desire to both work and learn. Not just about volleyball or competition, but about all around life,” said Flora.

Besides leading the Leopards last year in both hitting percentage and blocks, Rice is involved in activities on campus. Making the dean’s list for the past three semesters, Rice is a sociology major and last year received departmental honors for her outstanding scholarship.

Away from her books, Rice is involved in the Psi Chi Club on campus, she is a member of the ULV Student Athletic Advisory Board and she is a violet for Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Rice also completes her work study at the University’s Athletics Office and is a four-year resident of the Stu-Han residence hall.

“I was so scared as a freshman and I definitely didn’t expect to play in college, but I had an opportunity to start and I tried my hardest,” said Rice.

Starting every game and playing to the top of her ability is exactly what Rice has done in her past three years at La Verne. Last season, according to the coaches, made Rice an all-around great player.

“Denise has tried harder than anyone in the last three years and has been steadily a better player every year,” said Paschal.

“Not only is she our team’s main strength, she is also a great team leader,” said Paschal.

In a Division III tournament last year in San Diego, Rice proved to be the team leader and the player that defined the La Verne team. With the tournament on the line, Rice put on a show, leading the team in both blocks and kills and bringing them to an emotional, come-from-behind victory against Chapman University which boosted their standing and their spirits.

“It was a good experience for me in San Diego, not only because of my individual achievements, but because of how the team came together,” said Rice.

This year’s team is returning with many new faces. Six freshman, three juniors and one sophomore start the season with enthusiasm and hope that they too can come together with Rice’s helping hands.

Thus far, women’s volleyball has a record of 7-4 and competed in their first league game last Tuesday. Both Rice and the coaching staff believe that this year’s team has a lot of character and a really good chance of improving on last year’s record.

“We’re a real tight knit group this year, and in a short time we have learned not only to help each other in the game, but to look out for each other in everyday life,” said Rice.

This year, Rice leads the team in blocks and is third in hitting percentage. As the only senior on the team, she is looked up to by younger players.

“When I first came to practice I was so nervous and scared, but seeing how talented and dedicated Denise was, it made me work a lot harder,” said Gina Medina, a freshman middle-hitter for the Leopards.

Currently, the 20-year-old Rice fills her time with work at the Fairplex Child Development in Pomona, and Disneyland. Rice will graduate in May and hopes to get an emergency teaching credential and immediately go into teaching. Her future plans include getting a master’s degree in Sociology and possibly getting involved in the county sheriff’s D.A.R.E. program.

“I’ve learned so much about life through volleyball, and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such great coaches and teammates,” said Rice.

By setting an example and shooting for the stars, Rice has improved from an average volleyball player to a team leader.

According to Rice, she has turned her college years into a fun and exciting learning experience and made the best out of every situation at ULV.

Scott Harvey, Assistant Sports Editor
Scott Harvey
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