Received her master’s degree in kinesiology in the Spring of 2003.
JUNIOR SEASON (1999-00): Mandy Rice returned to the Lady Tigers in 2000 with hopes of maintaining both her intensity and consistency in order to break into the LSU lineup. Her hard work and dedication paid off as she accumulated an 8-6 dual-match record, as well as an undefeated mark in No. 5 singles play. Rice finished 6-6 on court No. 6 and 2-0 while playing on court No. 2. She used the 1999-00 season to develop her forehand into a weapon which gave her more opportunities to play at the net. She posted a 19-13 overall-singles record during both the spring and fall seasons, and also earned two key Southeastern Conference victories over Auburn’s Summa Edwards, 6-3, 7-6(7), and Alabama’s Becca Baum 6-0, 6-2. Mandy opened the spring season with a three-match winning streak and eventually extended it to seven-straight matches before dropping a tightly-contested match to Harvard’s Jenney Timoney. In doubles play, Rice was used sparingly as she competed in only one match. Along with sophomore, Bruna Colosio, the pair recorded a 1-0 overall mark in tournament play.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (1998-99): In her second season as a Lady Tiger, Rice gained experience and showed a huge improvement while playing in thirty-one matches. She accumulated a 15-16 record at four different singles spots. Rice won matches at positions No. 3-6. She was the only Lady Tiger to start at four different spots in the 1998-99 season. Rice was victorious against SEC opponents Becca Baum of Alabama, Judith Boban of Auburn, and Meiling Parks of Tennessee. Rice saw limited doubles action in the 1999 season as she played in the No. 3 position with senior captain Nikki Rasheed. The pair won the match as they defeated Fetch/Millard of Centenary 8-0.
FRESHMAN SEASON (1997-98): Rice posted a 6-9 singles record including a 2-3 dual match record in limited action. She played at both No. 5 and No. 6 singles, winning one match at each spot. Rice clinched the second match of the season, a 9-0 victory over in-state rival Centenary, with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Daniela Sarquiz. In doubles, Rice was 2-1 including a 2-0 record at No. 3 with Christine Weber. She also paired with Ana Paula Mores in a defeat at No. 1 doubles against Florida’s 2nd-ranked team of Buth-Nickitas.
Prior to LSU: A perennial all-state and all-district performer, Rice won the 1996 Class 1A state singles title while attending Sacred Heart Academy of New Orleans. A four-year letterwinner, Rice was the top-rated player in the state for six consecutive seasons and ranked among the Top-10 in girls 18’s in the South.
Personal: Rice was born on Feb. 17, 1979. She is a kinesiology a major. She is the daughter of Philip and Susan Rice. Her full name is Amanda Lorraine Rice.
Rice’s favorites
Role Model: Jim Courier
Movies: The Wedding Singer, The Green Mile and Titanic
Actor/Actress: Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock
Television Show: Friends
Musician(s): Nelly, Blackhawk and SheDaisy
Vacation Spot: Albuquerque, NM and Navarre, Fla.
Concert Attended: Better Than Ezra
Hobbies: Shopping, Watching TV, and hanging out
Moment at LSU: Football Games
Places you’ll find me in Baton Rouge: Plantation Trace
What do you want to do after college?: I’m not sure yet. Maybe graduate school.