Boyceville’s Riek named D-SC volleyball player of the year
By Cara L. Dempski
WHEELER — Boyceville senior Madysn Riek seems like a quiet, shy, unassuming sort of girl.
Riek likes working on her parents’ farm, is not terribly fond of her chemistry homework, and hopes to attend vet school after a few years as a pre-veterinary medicine student at UW – River Falls. In short, Riek seems like an average, small-town teenage girl.
But, then you see her on a volleyball court and realize why she was selected as the 2016 Dunn-St. Croix volleyball player of the year. The honor was one Riek said she didn’t expect.
“It didn’t even cross my mind at all,” Riek said.
Boyceville volleyball coach Corrie Roemhild wasn’t surprised at all.
“Maddy is a terrific role model,” Roemhild said. “She continually pushes herself to be better.”
Roemhild said Riek spent a lot of this past summer in the gym and weight room, and learned a lot more about the game and asked more questions about strategy. The Bulldog coach has watched Riek grow into a smart, focused, confident, determined athlete who is a leader on and off the court.
Riek led the Boyceville team in kills for the 2016 season, driving in attack after attack for the Bulldogs on the way to a second-place tie with Elk Mound, and helping her team earn the best overall record of any team in the conference this season.
The senior drilled in a whopping 264 kills and went up for a total of 97 blocks (44 solo, 53 assist) to assist the Boyceville squad to its 20-6 record in 2016. She trailed season-leader Brooklyn Hellmann in serve aces with 48 to Hellmann’s 55, and landed in third for digs behind Morgan Kuhn and libero Jaida Peterson.
Riek seemed pleased with the team’s season, despite a tough loss to St. Croix Falls on October 20 in the second round of regionals.
Riek got into volleyball in third grade through the mother of one of her friends.
“I just said, ‘why not try it?’” Riek said. “It just kind of happened. I stuck with it.”
She said she would miss the camaraderie and teamwork of her teammates. Riek said the group felt like a complete team during every match, and that’s what helped push her to keep playing and improving.
“I couldn’t have done this without the team. They had me the whole time,” Riek stated. “I think we were the most unselfish people out there.”
Riek is taking a short break before basketball season starts and is looking forward to softball and graduation next spring. While she would like to participate in sports at UW – River Falls, Riek said she is not yet sure which team – if any – she will choose.
“It’s a big decision,” Riek said. “I need to think about it more.”
For now, Riek seems happy to have played one last year with the Bulldog volleyball squad and to have the basketball and softball seasons to look forward to before heading to college next fall.
