Rising Above the Rest: STM’s Rhyan Miciotto named Louisiana’s Gatorade Player of the Year

by: William Weathers // GeauxPreps.com Contributor

Weeks after St. Thomas More’s volleyball captured its fourth straight Division II state championship the finality hit Rhyan Miciotto.

Miciotto, one of the team’s driving forces, eventually came to grips with the fact that she would no longer be coached by Jessica Burke and play with five other pivotal seniors who not only enjoyed four consecutive state titles together but won 149 of 161 matches.

“You feel like you’re going back because we’ve done it all four years,” Miciotto said. “Everything we do is because that’s what we’re used to. After a few weeks, it was like, ‘yeah, we’re not playing high school volleyball again. We’re not going to be coached by coach Jess anymore and not all playing together. It’s definitely a weird feeling, but I think we all know we have great opportunities in our future, and we’re excited for that.”

Miciotto is going to continue her volleyball career at hometown UL-Lafayette, but before that, the 5-foot-9 setter/right-side hitter received additional affirmation about just how special her final season was.

Miciotto, a two-time Division II All-State selection and District 4-II Player of the Year received Louisiana’s Gatorade Player of the Year this week.

“It’s such a huge honor,” Miciotto said. “When coach Jess told me I was nominated, I thought that was so amazing. There are so many great players in the state. Just to be nominated was such a huge honor and when I found out I won, it was such a surreal moment. It was such a good feeling knowing there are that many amazing players around the state.”

Miciotto becomes the second winner in the program’s history, joining AC Froelich who won the honor in 2023.

“Sometimes in my earlier years it felt like we were fighting to get kids these big-time individual accolades,” said Burke, who directed STM to its 10th state title in her 15th season at the school. “AC really busted through with that. Avery Breaux was our only other nominee (in 2015). It’s incredibly hard to win this award.”

Miciotto led STM with 491 assists and 318 digs. She added 265 kills, a .419 kill percentage, 74 service aces, and 37 blocks. In the Cougars’ 3-0 triumph on Nov. 14 over Ben Franklin in the state final, Miciotto was selected the Division II Most Outstanding Player with 16 assists and 12 digs in the Lafayette Cajundome.

Miciotto was part of a unique six-member senior class. She was one of three players to have started since her freshman season, while three others broke into the starting lineup over the course of their careers.

“We were all used to playing with each other and knew how everything was going to be run and the work we needed to put in,” Miciotto said. “That helped all of us be better leaders on the court for the underclassmen.

“It comes from all of our coaches and teammates pushing us,” Miciotto said. “It’s not a one-person game. You have to play with each other to be able to play with our team. Having a coach that will build that team camaraderie and have everyone play together as one instead as individuals.”

Burke commended Miciotto’s work ethic from the day she entered the program four years ago.

“She was a kid eager to learn even as a freshman,” she said. “She was soaking everything up, making changes, putting in reps on her own and just every year continued to get better and better. We needed her to hit it and she was up for that and didn’t realize how good of a hitter she was. It took her a while to grow into that role, but she can do anything she wants to on the floor. It’s always special to have kids that start varsity as freshmen because we have a lot more time together. It creates a special bond and it’s been a special journey.” 

STM, which only dropped four sets in 20 playoff matches in four years, completed this season with a 36-3 record after its straight-sets victory over Ben Franklin.

“Looking back, it’s very rare to win a state championship, and to win it four years in a row is such an amazing feeling,” Miciotto said. “We definitely don’t take it for granted. Every day we stepped foot into the gym, we knew we had something more to do if we wanted to win, which we believed we could. We had to give everything we had and give our best that day.”

Making the Gatorade honor truly special are the additional components built into winning the award.

Miciotto, now a candidate for Gatorade’s National Player of the Year, carries a 3.95 grade point average and has been involved as a school ambassador at STM and served as a mentor in the school’s special needs program (Options Program). She’s also worked at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana.

“It’s a big blessing,” Burke said. “(Gatorade winners) Kids are very well-rounded. I’m glad that people recognize that. Not only do they excel in volleyball, they’re fantastic students, servant leaders, playing multiple sports. There’s a lot going on with them besides what they can do with a volleyball.”

Because of the level of coaching received in both high school and in club, Miciotto is confident in her abilities to make a positive transition into college and continue to help UL-Lafayette’s program build. The Ragin’ Cajuns have had three winning seasons in four years under coach Kristi Gray. 

“They are still building, but the things they’ve built with the coaching staff that’s been there, is so amazing and made me want to be a part of it,” Miciotto said. “I felt at home and comfortable with the team and it felt like a family.”