Russ Rose Then (1999): “I think Amanda had a good freshman year and a very good spring season. I thought she competed well for us and demonstrated what we thought were her strengths — her knowledge of the game and ball handling skills. We’ll see how she does against the big block and more game-like settings. I thought Amanda played hard and should have a bright future.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “Amanda was one of the nation’s top recruits. She was a great passer, a great defensive player, and she had a strong arm. Amanda was fearless as a competitor. She has gone on to be a very successful lawyer.”
1999 Season (Sophomore): 1999 National Champion … Academic All-Big Ten … AVCA All-Region … started all 37 matches and played in 124 of 125 sets … averaged 2.27 kills/set, hitting .299 … led the team with 3.19 digs/set … recorded 15 service aces, tied for 4th on the team … averaged .61 blocks/set, good for 7th on the team.
Before Penn State: Played five years at Chaska High School and started at every position during that span; led Hawks to three state titles (1993, 1994, and 1996), as well as a second place finish in 1995 and a third place finish in 1997; named to Volleyball Magazine’s 1998 “Fab 50” team; was team captain her senior year; was an All-American, All-State, and All-Conference — as well as earning Metro Player of the Year — in both her junior and senior years; was the 1996 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year; also earned All-Conference and All-Metro honors as both a sophomore and a freshman, and was honorable mention All-Conference as an eighth grader.
“Women’s volleyball tries to avert 2000 start,” The Daily Collegian, Aug. 21, 2001
“Volleyball defeats Stanford for national title,” The Daily Collegian, Jan. 10, 2000
“Winning in the cards for Rome,” The Daily Collegian, Sept. 15, 1999
“All roads lead to Rome,” The Daily Collegian, Sept. 22, 1998