As the SFHS volleyball season starts up again, a change in roster has occurred, including a new head coach. Rachel Schroeder, who is a Saint Francis High School alumni and was last year’s assistant coach, stepped onto the court and took over that important role.
During her period at SFHS, Schroeder was a volleyball player herself. Having such a love for the sport, she went on to be a volleyball coach for an ongoing seven years. This season was her first year being the volleyball head coach.
“Being a coach is a huge honor. It’s being a role model to all my athletes,” said Schroeder. “It’s being someone they can look up to. It’s being someone supportive for them.”
Schroeder reflected upon the difference between being a coach and being a player.
“Honestly I think there are a lot of similarities in a student athlete to a coach,” she said. “The most obvious difference is one is doing the learning and working on improving and the role of the coach is planning and tactic training to also have the same end goal.”
Even in the short time she has been coaching, Schroeder has seen improvement in her team’s skill and performance, which was a goal she had.
“Another main goal I have is the team chemistry we are building. That is something that keeps improving with every practice and game, so I’m excited to see where that takes us.”
With the season pressing on, Schroeder thinks it’s important for her players to have their head in the game.
“I think it’s good to push the girls to want to strive to be the best on the court that evening,” said Schroeder,” as well as keeping in mind the importance of being a good teammate to one another.”
