Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
Victoria Schmer is widely regarded as one of the top liberos in the state. The senior has committed to play volleyball at the University of Alabama.
There’s a common opinion shared by multiple high school volleyball coaches in the Birmingham area.
“If we had Chelsea’s libero, we’d be one of the best teams in the state.”
That’s not to diminish any other libero’s skill level. It’s more an admission that Victoria Schmer, a senior at Chelsea High School, is one of the best at her position statewide.
“She’s finally getting the recognition she deserves,” said Jessica Pickett, Chelsea’s head volleyball coach.
Schmer has earned her reputation by combining natural talent with a fiery competitiveness. She quickly adapted to the libero position after being put there for the first time as a sophomore.
Pickett said Schmer expressed some initial hesitation to the position, but that was quickly quelled.
“She fell in love with it,” Pickett said.
Schmer agreed. “I just love defense, and my love has grown since I was a sophomore,” she said. “I take more pride in what I do now.”
Following her junior season, she was named to North-South All-Star Game, an event held for the state’s top rising seniors in the summer. She excelled in the all-star match, earning MVP honors on the South team. Schmer was the second Chelsea player to be named to the game, as Jules Hamer played in the event in 2018.
“It was really awesome,” Schmer said. “I knew a lot of the girls from club or just being outstanding players and already knowing them. We won 3-0, and it was awesome.”
In March, Schmer committed to play volleyball at the University of Alabama. In Schmer, the new Crimson Tide coaching staff, led by head coach Lindsey Devine, saw someone with more than just talent. Schmer also acknowledged the intangible aspects of her game that made her an attractive prospect. And as much as Alabama wanted Schmer, she was just as eager to join Devine and the rest of the coaching staff in Tuscaloosa.
“Something about them, I wanted to be a part of that,” Schmer said. “It’s close to home, so my parents can still see me play and cheer me on. It was all the right boxes and when you know, you know. It was just the right place for me.”
Chelsea’s volleyball team has been on the cusp of advancing to the state tournament in Schmer’s two previous varsity seasons. She hopes to be a catalyst for helping the Hornets over the hump and to the state tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex in late October. The Hornets got off to a strong start, winning 17 of their first 18 matches through Sept. 10.
“We can do whatever we put our mind to,” Schmer said. “Between all the talent and the drive that we have as a team, as a whole, we can do really great things this year.”
Pickett gives her libero free reign over the back row, trusting Schmer’s “court awareness” and understanding of how all six players work together on the court.
“She doesn’t let balls hit the floor,” Pickett said. “She’s mentally tough, and she doesn’t let people get in her head.”
As for the praise heaped upon her by other coaches in the area, Schmer is gracious but said it motivates her to be even better.
“It’s eye-opening for me,” she said. “But it makes me want to push myself further because I know I can be better than that.”
