October 28, 2009

After missing all of 2008 the sophomore has bounced back on the court and continued to remain involved in the student-athlete community off the court.

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Stacey Schmidt: A Great Example

This week's Great Example is women's volleyball middle blocker Stacey Schmidt. After receiving a medical redhirt 2008 because of a torn patella tendon, Schmidt has bounced back stronger then ever. She is currently leading the Gauchos with a hitting percentage of .366, ranking her second overall in the Big West Conference.

Schmidt's hard work and determination are present on the volleyball court as well as in the classroom. As a sophomore majoring in business economics Schmidt was awarded Dean's Honors for earning a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

An active member of the Gaucho student-athlete community, Schmidt co-represents the women's volleyball team on the Student-Athlete Advisory Board by relaying team input to the committee addressing the student-athletes wellbeing. In addition to providing the board a perspective from the women's volleyball team, Schmidt has taken additional responsibility as an executive member of SAAB in co-leading this year's community service efforts. The 2010 Gaucho community efforts include the annual Isla Vista Youth Project's Adopt-A-Family during Christmas time and the Big West Coin Drive during the month of February.

Schmidt took some time to answer a few questions about herself.

1. What is your favorite aspect about going to UCSB?
Living right next to the ocean is very relaxing.

2. What are your aspirations after college?
After college I'm thinking about playing professionally in Europe, after getting my master's degree in business economics.

3. What is your favorite Gaucho women's volleyball moment?
My favorite moment this year is when we beat UCI in the greatest comeback I've every seen. In the fifth game we were down 8-2. During the time out Kathy (Gregory) just said "Leave it on the court. Keep fighting." It was probably Kathy's advice telling us not to worry about it and just go for it.

4. Is there any motto that you live by?
ance as if no one is watching.

5. What do you most enjoy about having the Pacific Ocean right outside your front door?
I go to the beach, to layout or just watch the ocean.

6. What is your favorite part about being a Gaucho?
When we get to chant Ole after we win!

7. What has been you favorite Stacebook story, so far?
Probably the first story because I got to talk about our summer training.

8. Do you have any pre-game rituals?
My ritual is I take two Aleve and eat a granola bar before every game.

9. Who is your biggest role model?
My mom is my greatest role model because of all the stuff that she has accomplished. She's a very smart business women, who teaches accounting and finance at Cerritos College.

10. Where is your favorite place to study?
In my room. It's quiet and familiar.

11. What has been your favorite class at UCSB?
Comm 1, introduction to communication. It made me think about taking that major, but I ended with business economics. The professor was very funny and went in depth about things you normally don't think about in situations.

12. What is it like playing for a legend, Kathy Gregory, and what have you learned from her?
She always pushes us to do our best and to always stay competitive.

13. What has been the biggest challenge in college?
Time management and balancing my energy.

14. After redshirting last season due to knee surgery, you have now come back and are leading the Big West in hitting percentage, how tough was the year off, and what did you do to get your self back into playing form?
Last year was really hard watching my teammates from the bench, but I started going to physical therapy everyday and tried to take as many extra reps as I could.

15. What type of player is Rebecca Saraceno, the only senior on your squad?
Becca is the player every coach wants to coach and every player wants to be. She always leaves her heart out there. She's the one we all count on and look up to.

16. Who is the most inspiring teammate on the court?
Dana (Vargas) is probably one of the best leaders on our team. She always inspires us, always encourages us on the court and is comforting to be around.

17. What is the most embarrassing moment in your volleyball career?
In high school I got hit in the face with a ball and my eye got all swollen.

18. In one word how would you describe UCSB women's volleyball?
Legendary.

19. What advice would you give to incoming athletes interested in playing volleyball at the Division 1 level?
I would tell her first of all that she loves the school she's going to play for and to be prepared for a lot of sacrifices.

20. What three adjectives would you use to describe Stacey Schmidt?
Driven, hard working, and happy.