By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
Name: Rachel Breu
Nickname: Rach
School: West De Pere
Parents: Dominic and Sandi Breu
Activities: Volleyball, track and field
Twitter: @rachbreu
Rachel Breu was a middle hitter on the West De Pere volleyball team and will participate in track and field next spring.
She said she brings a competitive drive in both hitting and blocking each time she takes the floor.
When she was younger, Breu said she was obsessed with Tom and Jerry movies and The Grinch and rarely watched anything else, which got on her sister’s nerves.
Her hobbies include art, baking, bike rides and traveling.
Breu’s favorite sound of spring is the rain hitting the trees.
Her sports ritual before games is drinking lemon-flavored vitamin water.
Who’s the toughest opponent you’ve faced?
“We always met tough competition at tournaments in southern Wisconsin.”
Talk about your career at West De Pere and your Bay Conference individual accomplishments.
“I’ve played on varsity since my freshman season and received first-team all-conference in 2020.”
What’s your most embarrassing volleyball moment?
“In middle school, the ball was coming toward me, and instead of using my arms to pass it, it hit me in the face.”
Talk about the West De Pere sports community.
“Sports are big in West De Pere and are a great way for parents, teachers, students and community members to come together and cheer on the teams.”
Talk about your head coach, Jackie Kocken.
“She’s an asset to our team, helping with hitting and blocking.”
What’s the hardest part about playing volleyball?
“Staying mentally tough to bounce back from point deficits.”
An ace or diving dig to save a point?
“An ace, especially on game point.”
What’s the best volleyball floor you’ve played on?
“In terms of atmosphere, it was at regionals in 2019 at De Pere because we had a ton of parents and students support us. The energy was awesome.”
What are your college aspirations?
“I’m currently thinking of majoring in early elementary education, but I’m not set on where I’m going.”
What state would you like to live in after college?
“I might end up staying in Wisconsin, but I’d like to travel to new states and countries.”
What four words describe you?
“Motivated, accountable, creative, practical.”
The coast or the mountains?
“The mountains.”
If you didn’t play volleyball, what other sport could you have excelled in?
“Maybe softball.”
How do you want to be remembered at West De Pere?
“As someone who gave it my all in the classroom and on the court.”
Biggest sports achievement?
“Achieving conference honor awards in both volleyball and track and field.”
Iced tea or lemonade?
“I like lemonade – especially raspberry or strawberry flavors.”
What three cities would you like to visit?
“Athens (Greece), Reykjavík (Iceland) and San Francisco.”
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
“Living happily.”
Favorites
Food: Raspberries
Volleyball team: Wisconsin Badgers
Subjects in school: Biology, chemistry
Current movie: “Mamma Mia”
Book: “One of Us is Lying”