The University of Mississippi Athletics
A Sample Of Good Things To Come
10/17/2002 | Soccer
Oct. 17, 2002
By Ryan Annison, Sports Information Student Assistant
OXFORD, Miss. -- With a work ethic and versatility almost unmatched by any player on the Ole Miss team and quite possibly in the Southeastern Conference, junior Amy Sample, a member of the soccer team, has already impressed Rebel fans this season.
Sample, a Crestwood, Ky., native, is starting the 2002 season at the attacking center mid position. Former club team members and fellow midfielders Lindley Beckman and Kristal Menard have helped make the transition from defender to midfield "comfortable" for Sample.
In her first two years, Sample racked up seven goals and 18 total points, highlighted by the game-winner against Alabama last season. Sample started in all but one game at defender for Ole Miss as a sophomore in 2001, but is enjoying her new position.
"I like to attack more," said Sample, a former South Oldham standout. "I really enjoy the opportunity to get out there and score some goals. Sometimes it can be hard to sit back and watch the game from the backfield."
On Sept. 22, Sample scored the game-winning goal 40 seconds into overtime against Missouri, to help keep Ole Miss unbeaten at the time with a 7-0-1 record. The setup from fellow midfielder and roommate Karen Hall aided Sample's fourth career game-winner.
Famous for her work ethic with both the coaching staff and her teammates, the selfless Sample refuses to take the credit for her determination.
"I am motivated because everyone else around me is working hard, and we are all very focused," Sample said.
This hard work does not end when practice is over. The dedicated Elementary Education major has made the Chancellor's Honor Roll the past two semesters and was named to the 2001 Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
"Amy is the engine that makes this team run," said Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman. "Her work ethic is No. 1. Amy is extremely versatile and can play any position. She does whatever is necessary and is extremely unselfish.
"Amy is the type of player coaches like to coach."
With the team motto "This is the Year, This is the Team," Sample and her teammates have set their goals high. The Rebels will try to take another step toward those goals when they travel to Kentucky and Vanderbilt this weekend. Ole Miss will play the Wildcats Friday in Lexington, Ky., and will meet the Commodores Sunday in Nashville, Tenn. FOX Sports Net South will televise the Ole Miss-Vanderbilt contest at 2:30 p.m. (CT) Sunday.
"We want to go to the SEC and NCAA tournaments this year," Sample said. "Hopefully hosting the SEC Tournament will really make a difference."
Sample can be considered the ultimate student-athlete and perfect team player that loves her role on the team as well as her teammates.
"We spend a lot of time together, and we're like a big family," said Sample.
