Trailblazing Badger: Rivers to continue volleyball career at Cumberland University

Amarillo College volleyball do-it-all sophomore Skylar Rivers is headed to the Volunteer State.

The Wichita Falls native will continue her volleyball career at Cumberland University, located in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Rivers has signed a letter of intent with the Phoenix – an NAIA program in Mid-South Conference.

“They provided me a great opportunity to continue playing volleyball and pursue my desired career as a sports psychologist. They have one on campus where I’d be able to learn directly from that professional, whereas other schools I spoke with did not have a sports psychologist on campus.”

The defensive specialist, outside hitter, and setter leaves Amarillo College as the only athlete in program history with over 100 kills, 200 assists, and 500 digs in a career.

Rivers reflected on her two years at AC, stating her progression as a student-athlete.

“I learned so much from being at Amarillo College, both academically and playing volleyball,” she explained. “The program has helped us grow as young women and prepare for us for the next level, whether that be in the workforce or to continue at a four-year institution.”

Rivers did the unthinkable this past fall, staring at setter for the first time in her volleyball career, including her youth playing days. The lifelong Texas resident thrived in her new position and earned AC Athlete of the Week honors in 2023. She tied the school-record for most aces in game (6) and recorded the fifth-highest assist total in a single match (34).

Rivers finished the season tied for highest ace total (29) on the Badgers roster, third in assists (250), and fourth in digs (218).

When she takes to the court next fall for the Phoenix volleyball team, the soon-to-be junior will be the first two-year volleyball athlete at Amarillo College to play for a four-year program.

Rivers said it’s an honor to be the first student-athlete within the AC volleyball program to accomplish the feat and added the possibility of returning one day.

“It’s a privilege to be first and an opportunity I’ll always be thankful for,” she said. “I’m really excited for AC volleyball and its future. Coaching has been my biggest career dream after college, so you might see me back here. I really do like this school.”