Amelia Byerly
"I learned how to be an upper-class leader on the team. ... how to look out for and take care of the preps and lowers on our team, really being an ultimate teammate."
Amelia Byerly ’24 plays varsity volleyball, basketball and lacrosse for Exeter. She is also a tour guide on campus for the Admissions Office, a dorm representative for Dunbar Hall, participates in ESSO basketball and is involved with Gal Pals, through which she meets regularly with local women with special needs. We caught up with her before she headed off to play lacrosse for Israel’s under-21 national team in the European Championships. She hopes to make the U20 roster next year and compete in the World Championships.
What are your favorite things about each of the sports you play?
My first experience with volleyball was here at Exeter. It has a tradition of winning, so I like having that pressure of keeping the program to a high standard. It’s the ultimate team sport because you have to share the ball, you have to have good team chemistry and know where your teammates are going to be. I love that basketball is so intimate and competitive. You are so close with your competitors
What’s your pregame hype music?
My playlist rotates from season to season. Volleyball season is a lot of Rihanna, Nikki Minaj, Doja Cat because that feels like the vibe of the team. Basketball season is a lot of rap like Kodak Black and Drake. Lacrosse season is kind of a mix. Rap at the start of the season, especially when it is colder. Then you get to the point of the season where it is nice out, the sun is shining, and I’m listening to country music. I feel like the vibes on all three teams are different and the playlists kind of match that.
What is something you have learned from your teammates?
This winter I really learned how to be an upper-class leader on the team. Bridgette Martin ’23 definitely taught me a lot about how to look out for and take care of the preps and lowers on our team, really being an ultimate teammate. Making sure that you are checking in on people, checking in on stuff that doesn’t have to do with sports.
What is your hidden talent?
I have my pilot’s license. My dad flies, his dad flew, my great-great-grandfather flew, so it has been in the family. I started taking lessons when I was 15, I first flew solo when I turned 16, and got my pilot’s license on my 17th birthday last summer. Hopefully this summer I’ll get my multi-engine rating and my instrument flight rating to further my experience and be able to fly different planes. Maybe I could fly myself to school. I’d really like to fly some of my friends to the Florida Keys someday.
What is your goal for next year?
I want to go 3-0 in all three Andover games.
— Brian Muldoon
Editor's note: This article first appeared in the summer 2023 issue of The Exeter Bulletin.
