Rice Lake seniors Sydney Gay, Hannah Miller sign college commitments

Two Rice Lake High School student-athletes put pen to paper in making college commitments during a ceremony at the high school on Wednesday morning.

Sydney Gay will play volleyball at Lakeland University, and Hannah Miller will swim at South Dakota State University.

Gay chose Lakeland because of her academic pursuits and the coaching style of head coach Ryan Schopf, who has led the Muskies for 10 seasons. Gay will study exercise science.

"I wanted to continue playing sports, I really like playing volleyball, but school is so important," Gay said. "They have a great exercise science program — top notch. It just seemed perfect for me."

The Lakeland campus is located in Plymouth in eastern Wisconsin. The Muskies compete in the Division III Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference with other Wisconsin schools Alverno, Concordia Wisconsin, Edgewood, Marian, St. Norbert and Wisconsin Lutheran.

Gay was the setter for the Warriors volleyball team in each of the last three seasons. As a senior she recorded 952 assists as Rice Lake earned a spot at the state tournament. She received academic all-state honors three times, played in the Border Battle All-Star Game and was a participant in the Australian national volleyball tournament.

It's not just her play on the court but also her positive attitude that coaches admire.

"The main thing they recruited me for is I bring such a positive presence," she said. "I have so much energy on the court and I’m a big communicator. They said that will be a huge addition to the team."

In addition to volleyball Gay has competed in basketball, and track and field for the Warriors.

Gay's high school volleyball coach Kristen Lehman also said she brings an uplifting attitude to a team, and she continues to improve because of her desire to learn.

"Sydney has been a huge part of our team and program for the past four years," Lehman said. "She has an infectious spirit and loves to hype up the team. Syd grew leaps and bounds this year because she is an avid learner and is always seeking ways to make herself and her teammates better. Lakeland is getting not only a talented player, but a hungry player — one that will help bring continued success to their program."

Miller will head to South Dakota State, located in Brookings, South Dakota, after multiple school records, state appearances and all-conference accolades during her time swimming for the Warriors.

The Jackrabbits compete in the Division I Summit League. The nursing program at South Dakota State played a major factor in Miller's decision, as well as her bond with her future teammates that she created during her visit. The coaches also believe she still has plenty of untapped potential.

"They definitely felt I haven’t peaked yet, at all," she said. "They definitely see a lot more potential in me than I see in myself. With the wide range of events I can swim, they’re really hopeful for my future."

Miller holds individual school records in the 200-yard freestyle, 200 individual medley, 500 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, along being a part of the 200 medley relay school record. She was a four-time state qualifier for the Warriors with four individual events and five relays.

In 2020 she was a part of the 200 medley relay that placed fourth to tie the school record for placement for a relay at state. Individually Miller was on the state podium twice her senior season. She took fifth in the 100 breaststroke and finished sixth for the 200 individual medley. Miller was only the second girls swimmer to reach the state podium in an individual event. Eight times Miller has received all-conference awards, and in her senior season she was an all-state selection by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association.

Miller has also played soccer for the Warriors and helped Rice Lake to regional championships and sectional semifinal appearances.

Despite all of her accolades Miller hopes she is remembered most for her leadership.

"I hope I’m remembered for team cohesion, as someone who is a leader and not a follower of the group," she said.

Miller's high school coach Bob Burdorf said her impact will continue to resonate with the swimming program for years to come despite her departure. Kids have seen the dedication she has put in and the success she's accomplished, he said.

"People are coming out for swimming because they’ve watched Hannah swim, the records she’s set and the way she handles herself," Burdorf said.