ALBERTON – Lady Panther Ryan Vicek recently finished her last volleyball season before graduation.

Vicek was born in Denver, CO and spent her early life there before moving to Alberton in 2001. She began first grade at Alberton Elementary School and went there all 12 years. She said she loved it at the school and would not trade the experience for anything.

“It’s more of a family, instead of a school,” Vicek said. “The teachers are great. They’re always there for you.”

Vicek began playing volleyball in fifth grade, which she said was where Alberton students began athletics. She said she made the decision to be involved in her school’s athletics program and stuck with it through all four years of high school. However, this dedication often led to conflicts with her school schedule.

She explained her main priority was academics and she often had a tough schedule. She described having many late nights study sessions and early mornings to go to school to retake tests.

“As far as keeping up with my schoolwork, it’s just something you have to juggle, you have to find a balance – your sports and your school,” she said.

Vicek said the volleyball program was a little rough. When the school went through a period with several different coaches it was hard to maintain a consistent training regimen. However, Vicek said Head Coach Hannah Anderson’s arrival was beneficial because Anderson brought a good team dynamic and got the team connected so the girls worked well together.

“I think our attitudes and efforts were pretty good this year,” she said. “I think we came together as a team and worked hard for what we got.”

Vicek will be playing basketball this winter. She said most of the volleyball team would be moving to basketball. This will be good for the season because the girls will already know each other’s strengths and should already have a good team dynamic. Basketball season will be her final opportunity at high school athletics.

Vicek plans to go to school out of state. Her main plan is to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Her application has been submitted but at the time of the interview she had not received word back from the academy. If she got in, her plan would be to pursue a military career.

However, she does have a backup plan. Vicek has also applied to Montana State University and has been accepted, but she said she would wait and see how things go. If the Air Force does not work out, she plans to pursue engineering as a way to help the global community.

Vicek commended the Alberton community for its support of the school and said there are people and organizations who give a lot to help the school. She said she loves the community and would not trade the experience of growing up in Alberton for anything.