Schildmeyer shines, sets St. Charles East to big season
Greg Schildmeyer grew up playing basketball and football outside Cincinnati, and he went on to play football at the Naval Academy.
As much as he loves those two sports, there's a new one that has dominated his life pretty much ever since college.
Married to Jill, a volleyball player at Palatine High School and then Virginia Tech, and now with three volleyball-playing daughters at St. Charles East — Megan, Emily and Kate — it's easy to see which sport consumes him these days.
“He's learned a lot about volleyball through the years,” joked Megan.
Megan is the oldest of the three, a senior setter who will play collegiately next year at Wingate University in North Carolina. Saints coach Jennie Kull, using a sports analogy that would make Greg Schildmeyer smile — called Megan the “quarterback” of a team that went 30-8 through Nov. 4, tied for the conference championship and won their ninth straight regional crown.
Schildmeyer is this year's Daily Herald Tri-Cities All-Area Captain after totaling 207 kills, 54 aces, 24 blocks, 180 digs, a 2.1 passer rating and 425 assists through regional play.
“She's our heart and soul,” Kull said. “She makes it go. When she's on we're going. She's been a real quarterback and makes it happen.”
Megan was joined on the varsity this year by her sister Emily, an outside hitter. Kate is a freshman and a setter.
There's a good chance if there's sports on TV in the Schildmeyer household the television is tuned to a Big Ten volleyball match.
“We watch a lot of volleyball in my family,” Megan said.
Greg does have one son, Luke, a sixth-grader who “is pretty much into every sport,” according to his oldest sister. No doubt about it, sports are a central part of the Schildmeyer family, probably not much of a surprise with two parents who played in college.
“Sports keep us really busy but we love it,” Megan said.
Greg did get a chance to coach Megan in basketball in eighth grade with the St. Charles Storm, a team that included several of Schildmeyer's volleyball teammates like Mikaela Mosquera and Meagan Smith.
After that season Megan decided to focus her energy on volleyball after growing up in gymnastics, swimming, basketball and soccer.
“Volleyball was the latest addition to my sports but it was something I stuck with,” Schildmeyer said. “I loved basketball but I knew my future in volleyball was a lot brighter than my future in basketball. I love volleyball so much more. It was just the logical decision.”
Megan said her mom's background in volleyball has helped.
“If I ever needed help with anything she would give me pointers,” Schildmeyer said. “She has helped me a lot through the years. She signed me up with lessons even when I didn't want to go, but it paid off.”
Schildmeyer has been a three-year starter for the Saints, one who has shuffled positions all the while doing what is best for the team. She began in her natural setting role as a sophomore, then moved to the right side last year while Carly Jimenez set the team, and then came back to setting this year while also showing her skills as a powerful hitter at many key points throughout the season.
Despite playing out of position as a junior, Schildmeyer still turned in an All-Area season after leading the team with 210 kills, plus 59 aces, 271 digs and 46 blocks.
“I had a great time hitting, something different,” Schildmeyer said. “I love setting but it was fun last year, hit, play back row, serve-receive, play different positions. It really added to my knowledge of the sport.”
Coming into this year Kull challenged Schildmeyer to keep a level head during matches.
“A big thing I worked on this year was my mental game,” Schildmeyer said. “Sometimes last year when matches got tough I freaked myself out. Coach Kull told me I need to keep my composure because the rest of the team will look up to me. This season has been a work in progress but I think as a team we've gotten a lot better. I've known them (my teammates) for a long time so being able to play with them has been a lot of fun.”
Her teammates went out of their way to praise not just Schildmeyer's talent on the volleyball court but also her leadership skills.
“She's awesome,” Mosquera said. “I've been playing with her since freshman year. We're really close. She's super fun to play with.”
Junior outside Avery Macklin hasn't known Schildmeyer as long but certainly has been impressed.
“Megan is a terrific teammate,” Macklin said. “She always keeps her composure, keeps it together. I can always look at her and know she is going to be able to keep us going. She talks to us, keeps us in check and makes sure everyone does our job.”
Among the highlights for Schildmeyer his fall was an all-tournament selection at the Mizuno Cup and a spot on the Upstate Eight all-conference team as an unanimous pick.
One of her best matches came in a key two-set sweep of Geneva, a match Schildmeyer served the final five points of the opening game while finishing the night with a typical “do-everything” line of a match-high 8 kills, plus 7 digs and 9 assists.
The Saints dominated Geneva that night, a win that keyed their share of the River title.
“The environment playing at St. Charles East is great,” Schildmeyer said. “The team chemistry is something I love the most about this team and this season. We all get along so well. Practice is always fun. Being together is always a good time. Our coaches just add to the positive environment. We work hard every day and I love being part of this team.”
Schildmeyer said when she's not playing volleyball she enjoys spending time with her friends, cooking and baking, and walking her two dogs Ollie and Nellie.
Planning on majoring in accounting at Wingate, Schildmeyer said years of taking vacations to North Carolina made her college destination an easy choice.
“I always wanted to go to college in North Carolina,” said Schildmeyer, noting it was 70 there on a night it was about 30 degrees colder in St. Charles. “My No. 1 focus was I wanted to play volleyball in college. Everything fell into place. I'm excited.”
Excited for sure — but with mixed emotions after having so much fun playing volleyball at St. Charles East.
“Being part of the volleyball program has been such a great blessing,” Schildmeyer said. “We have such great support from the rest of the school. I've met some of my best friends through volleyball. I can't believe it's over. I've enjoyed every single moment of it.”