By Blake Hudson

ROME, Ga. – Senior Lauren Schmitz said she came to college expecting to pick up her volleyball career right where she left off in high school. Schmitz’s expectations were turned upside down when she realized she would be playing behind junior Stephanie Quinn, an All-American.  

An all-state player at North Cobb High School in metro Atlanta, Schmitz started on the varsity team all four years, breaking numerous school records for assists and digs, and ending her career fourth in the state for career assists.  But going from high school to waiting for her chance to play in college proved a challenge for Schmitz, she said.

“I could either sit and pout about not playing, or I could try to find a way to help the team,” Schmitz said. “It really challenged my maturity. I was affected a lot by not playing.”

Lauren Schmitz and Stephanie Quinn maintained a great relationship, helping each other on and off the court.   Photo Courtesy of Lauren Schmitz

 Buying into the program

Fortunately, Schmitz chose to help the team any way she could.

“I’ve never been someone to be content with where I am,” Schmitz said.

This drive motivated Schmitz to find ways to help Quinn any way she could, which in turn helped the team win conference championships in Schmitz’s freshman and sophomore years.

Schmitz said she found that she could help Quinn by talking to her during games, pointing out weaknesses she saw in opposing defenses. In return, Schmitz got help from Quinn.

“Me and Stephanie had a great relationship,” Schmitz said. “She would even stay after practice to help me with things.”

And all along, Berry head volleyball coach Mika Robinson was watching.

“She did a great job embracing that (supporting) role,” Robinson said, of Schmitz. “She is extremely competitive and learned a lot from the experience.”

Coming into her junior year, Schmitz was the clear favorite to become a starting setter for the Vikings, but there were more bumps in the road. She did not play as well as she would’ve liked and had to fight all year to maintain her starting spot.

“She had to earn her spot as a starter; it was not given to her,” Robinson said. “She struggled at times and . . . I think that really messed with her confidence.”

A new perspective

After a tough junior season, Schmitz focused on growing in her faith and improving her fitness.

“I was at a place without much confidence, from not playing a lot and then not as good of a junior season as I would’ve liked and learning a new system,” Schmitz said. “I grew in my faith a lot this summer, really putting in to perspective how God has given me the ability to play a sport, not something out of my own doing.

When Schmitz looks at volleyball now, she said she asks herself the question, “How can I be a player who glorifies God?” It has changed the way Schmitz looks at the game, she said.

“It has made me a more confident player [because] I have taken so much pressure off of myself,” Schmitz said.  

She also worked hard to start the in better shape.

“She came in more physically prepared than in past seasons, which has translated into more confidence,” Robinson said. “It is great to see a player work so hard to get to a place to where she can contribute the way she is.”

Through 16 games this season, Schmitz has 510 assists and 63 kills, tallies that put her well ahead of where she was at this time last year. Last season, Schmitz totaled 71 kills and 980 assists.

Schmitz says she is excited to finish her last season by helping the team any way she can.

 “We’re all about the process, I’m looking forward to how much we grow as a team,” Schmitz said.