Riplee Breeden enjoys playing volleyball. She enjoys stepping out on the court to represent her school and play alongside her teammates. From early on in her career, she was given a nickname that has stuck with her and she enjoys it everytime she hears it.

“As I started playing my family gave me the name RipTide,” she said. “My family can be heard yelling my nickname in all the games. It has now caught on and I hear it from the bench and other fans as they cheer us on. It has even caught on in the school hallways.”

As a junior at Salina High School, along with volleyball, Riplee is involved in a number of clubs around campus. She serves as junior class president and is a member of the student council, safe school coalition, Students Working Against Tobacco, a Mid America Ambassador, and part of Broadcasting.

Breeden says that she has been graced with a number of people that have been important parts of her life.  She says that they have not only been role models but they have also been big supporters too.

“My parents have been big influencers on my life,” she said. “They’ve always taught me and shown me the ways of a good student-athlete. They’ve shown me how to keep focused on the games and to clear my head. They also helped me to not let life, outside sports, affect my games, and in turn, not let the games effect my life outside sports. My family and my teammates both have always been there for me and have my back. Even after some of my worst games, they have cheered me on to keep going and kept me going on the right track. Especially my family who, no matter what, will find a way to make it to my games to cheer me on.”

Throughout her career, Riplee has invested a lot of time, but she says that it also takes more than just the physical work. “I have put in lots of hard work and dedication,” she said. “Never giving up on myself or my teammates, paying attention to my coach, and putting my best effort forward no matter what are all important things.”