Senior spotlight: Rylie Vaughn key to Newman Catholic's drive for five straight titles
WAUSAU – Rylie Vaughn might have a fondness for the beach volleyball game, but it is in the gym where she has achieved her most notable success in the sport over the past three years.
She has been a part of three WIAA state championship teams during the Cardinals' run of four straight Division 4 titles, and along with Julianne Barkholz, is one of two seniors for Newman Catholic this year..The all-around standout will be a key component as the Cardinals attempt to join Waupun as the only girls volleyball programs in the state’s history to win five consecutive titles.
Vaughn was an honorable mention all-state selection by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association last fall after a season in which she had more than 400 kills and nearly 600 assists. She also was selected to the Division 4 all-state tournament squad.
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Vaughn committed to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee last winter and recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to discuss her top sports memories and her program rituals, among other topics.
Do you have a nickname or what do your friends and teammates call you?
"Ryles," or there’s always been "Rye-Bread." I had a friend call me that in elementary school and it kind of carried on.
You have been part of a lot of winning and championship games, but what would you say is your most memorable sports moment?
It was in my freshman year when we had our "Dig Pink" game against Tomahawk. It went five (sets). We lost the first two and then came back. But there was a point when it got so loud in the gym that you couldn’t hear anything else (on the court). It was the crowd and in the (team) huddle our coach was telling us, 'There’s no way we’re losing this match.'
What would you say your most embarrassing sports moment has been?
It was in track and near the end of the season when I was a sophomore. Laura Larrain and I played tennis against Jake Gajewski and Coach (Paul) Michlig. Laura was great and Jake and I were just awful. I just remember the track team just sitting there watching and I’m whiffing left and right. But, yeah, (Michlig) was worse than me and I’ll let him read that.
Do you have a certain ritual or superstition before every game?
I do have a certain song and I do listen to it and get in the mindset to go out and play. Then there’s our dance parties in the locker room, which is a big deal.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Theo James. He was "Four" in “Divergent." He is my guy.
What and where is your dream vacation?
Somewhere on an island with beautiful clear blue water where I can jet ski into the sunset.
What is your dream career?
After I was done playing, if I could coach some real high-level beach volleyball. (Coaching volleyball) seems like a natural progression. It might not be my only career, but I would like to coach at some point.
What are you thinking as a major in college?
I am looking at biological sciences and going to be a (physician assistant).
RYLIE VAUGHN
School: Newman Catholic
Year: Senior
Sport: Volleyball
Favorite sport outside of volleyball: I love to watch football but beach volleyball is actually my favorite sport.
Favorite pro or college athlete: (Pro beach volleyball players) Misty May and Kerri Walsh
Favorite music artist: Zac Brown Band
Favorite movie: “Black Fish”
Favorite food: Potatoes — doesn’t matter what kind. Then I like all kinds of soup, and crab rangoon.