By Allen Hamrick
Rylee Burkhamer has pounded the volleyball the nets for Clay County schools for many years now. What she has meant to the CCHS Volleyball team can’t be written in mere words; her value can only be truly assessed by seeing her in action. Her ability to arouse the passions of her teammates to win was unparalleled on and off the court. Her career on the net at CCHS has been one of power and finesse and with a charm that could raise the snakes out of a barrel.
Rylee is now a senior with her Lady Panther volleyball years behind her and signed her letter of intent to play volleyball with the Fairmont State University Falcons this past week. Here, she will take her extreme volleyball skills to the next level. Rylee has shown that she is the epitome of hard work and dedication to her sport on and off the court. She has killed, dug, blocked and served for the volleyball fans of this county for a long time and will be remembered in the halls of CCHS as one of the best hard hitting players to grace the nets.
Clay County Schools has been fortunate to have Rylee Burkhamer as a student that has had a desire to succeed and a work ethic to go along with it. She disciplined herself on and off the courts and is a role model for the new wave of young volleyball players who are up and coming. She now has the opportunity to take her game to new heights and not just make a difference on another team but to lead it. The Fairmont State University Falcons will definitely be getting a star to play on their court.
Burkhamer’s career at CCHS as a Lady Panther was nothing short of epic. She had 848 kills, 240 aces, 109 blocks, 875 digs, and played 276 sets. In her career, she was AA All State Honorable Mention twice and was 1st and 2nd team LKC. She was an All Tournament player at the Red White and Blue tournament at UC. She will be representing the South in the North vs. South volleyball game held at Woodrow Wilson High School on November 24. Along with all these successes, she was every bit a team player and loved the fans and her family. She is truly a class act; she made volleyball fun to watch and kept you on the edge of your seat with her amazing abilities on the courts. She will be missed and her shoes will be a tough pair to fill.
She will be back in action for one more season as a Lady Panther when the dust on the softball diamond starts getting kicked up in the spring. Rylee is the daughter of Chuck and Cindy Burkhamer of Wallback. Rylee, your Clay County community wishes you well.