Elizabeth Schmidlin '18 Recruiting Profile

My life has been consumed by sports for as long as I can remember, and I don't mean that in a bad way. When I was young and first started playing sports, I played them all. There wasn't a sport out there that I didn't want to play, but over the years I had to narrow it down to what is now only two: volleyball and track. Those two sports are what I am most passionate about in my life for a number of reasons. I never walk away from a practice feeling like it was "just another practice". There is a purpose for everything I do, and I do my best to reflect that mindset when I play. Even if I'm not playing my best one day or I feel a little off, that only teaches more about myself and how I can overcome those obstacles. I don't waste a second when I'm on the court because there is always a lesson to be learned, even if I don't realize it right away. Volleyball has shaped me as a person in so many ways and I can't imagine my life without it. It's been my way of forgetting about everything going on in my life and taking advantage of being young and seeing what my body is capable of.  It doesn't just make me feel like a good athlete though, volleyball makes me feel like a good person too. I love volleyball for the way it makes me feel and act, its not all about being the star of the court. Volleyball is truly one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me and I can't wait to see where it takes me. 

I'm currently attending Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest California. Despite my passion for the game, I unfortunately suffered a substantial injury to my shoulder and underwent a shoulder stabilization surgery in the beginning of November 2019.  I took a red shirt year for my 2019 season, but I'm looking to transfer to a four-year university to complete my next three seasons of eligibility. My decision to transfer before completing my two years of eligibility at a community college is based off of my desire to play at a higher level.  I will be fully healed by May of 2020 and ready to start the next chapter of my volleyball career. Although this injury disrupted my plans for my 2019 season, I won't allow it to hold me back and I intend on returning stronger than ever.