Volleyball Newcomer Q&A: Victoria Schmer
9/24/2020 1:17:00 PM | Volleyball
Freshman - Libero/Defensive Specialist - Chelsea, Ala.
On her start in volleyball
I played soccer growing up, but when one of my friends asked me to try out for volleyball with her in seventh grade, I did and it has stuck ever since. My first year playing volleyball, soccer was still my favorite. In eighth grade I got the opportunity to play club and after that I really just wanted to play volleyball and eventually wanted to play in college. I liked the team aspect because you really have to work together. At the time I had really strong relationships with my teammates so that helped me develop my love for the sport."
On the goal of playing in college
In eighth grade I decided I wanted to play in college. Throughout high school my club coaches helped me decide the best school for me which is how I ended up here. During my club tryout in eighth grade the club director pulled me aside and said that I was one of the most athletic kids she had ever seen and told me to stick with it because I had the potential to take it to a high level in college. My junior year of high school during our first big tournament there were a ton of Big Ten and SEC coaches and I knew then I had the opportunity to make a really big impression."
On her impression of the University of Alabama as an in-state athlete
"I was actually an Auburn fan growing up, but my family is full of Alabama fans. I just wanted to be different. After Coach [Lindsey] Devine came here, I started to really look into Alabama and what they offered and began to love it."
On the college selection process
"Alabama was one of the first schools I looked at. They were the first school that showed a lot of interest in me and they were the first school I showed a lot of interest in. I was open to looking at any school really. I wanted to go to a school that really wanted me, and I wanted to love the campus and the coaches."
"My first couple of calls with the Alabama coaches, we would talk for up to 45 minutes or an hour at a time. That impressed me because it made me feel like we were really forming a personal connection. My first time on campus, looking at all the different facilities, I was amazed because of how great and superior they are compared to other schools. It's crazy to see how Alabama is on an entirely different level compared to other schools. I came on campus and fell in love. Between the campus and the coaches, I knew this was the place for me and I committed two or three days after I was offered.
On navigating the uncertainty of the season
"I focused on coming in with an open mindset and getting in the gym and working hard no matter what. We came in the summer and were working really hard. Now, we have a season to play and it feels like our reward for all of the hard work we put in. All of us are positive and getting prepared just like any other year for whatever our season looks like."
On the NCAA's eligibility ruling and the SEC's hybrid fall/spring schedule
"That was a moment of relief. We didn't want to work hard and have it all be for nothing. The safety net of getting our eligibility back was also a relief. These four years are such a precious time and losing a year would be detrimental, so I'm glad they came out with that. The starting point gives a goal and gets us set for a specific date."
On adjusting to health and safety protocols at practice
"At the beginning it was tough, but like anything it gets better over time. We all do a very good job at cleaning up every day and making sure that we have our masks on so that if someone did get the virus, we are all staying safe and protected. Getting tested is getting easier now too. Everyone is doing a great job at trying to stay safe and healthy, while also working hard to achieve our goals."
On her goals for the year
"We want to be at the top of the SEC to put ourselves in the best position to make the NCAA Tournament. We would love to see ourselves as SEC champions and do that for the first time in program history. We all want to work so hard to change the name of Alabama volleyball and start earning respect in the SEC."
