Senior setter and outside hitter Tatem Schmidt helped the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A state tournament last week at Xtream Arena in Coralville. She was named to the all-tournament team along with her teammate, senior libero Mya Lei-Butters.
Schmidt helped the Jaguars to a 34-6 record. She led the squad with 266 kills while posting a .263 hitting efficiency and also had a team-best .952 serving percentage, completing 320-of-336 attempts.
Schmidt placed second on the squad with 381 assists and 62 blocks while ranking fourth among the Jaguars with 35 aces and fifth on the team with 223 digs. She was selected to the CIML Conference first team.
Here is some inside info on Schmidt:
Congratulations on an outstanding season. Are you proud of what your team was able to accomplish, now that you’ve had some time to reflect on it?
I am so beyond proud of our team this year! It was truly a team effort, and each player on our team held a very important role all season. I could not have asked for a better way to go out!
You had five kills, 11 assists and 12 digs in the Class 5A final against No. 1 Waukee Northwest, which racked up 15 blocks while sweeping the match in three sets to claim its second crown in three years. Was the biggest challenge in facing the Wolves again trying to hit around their formidable blockers?
That was definitely a challenge during that game. They are a highly-skilled blocking team.
Your teammate, Mya, had 15 digs in the loss and joined you on the all-tournament team. What can you say about her performance, and what has it been like having her on the back line throughout your high school career?
Playing with Mya back there gave me so much trust in our defense and serve receive, knowing she is one of the top liberos in the state. She was able to help keep the court calm and collected throughout the seasons.
Your team had several big wins this season while losing to just two different teams–once to Ankeny and five times to Northwest. Do you have a favorite moment from the season that sticks out in your mind?
The Cedar Rapids Jefferson tournament (on Oct. 11) sticks out because (we went 6-0 on the day) and that showed us we were starting to peak at the right time while playing our best ball!
You took on a bigger role this season following the graduation last year of all-state outside hitters Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt. Did you embrace that challenge, and did you also try to become a leader for the squad?
I embraced that challenge fully. I knew going in to the season I was one of the players with the most experience so I knew I was going to have to help and lead the less experienced players.
You will play in the Senior Volleyball Classic on Saturday at Johnston along with Mya and another teammate, Maegan Cheeseman. What are you most looking forward to about the event?
I am so excited for this because I am able to play with and against some club teammates, and it will be lots of fun competition!
You are slated to play for the Panthers team coached by Channing Halstead of North Tama. Do you know very many of the players on your squad?
I know most of the players on my team and I have a few club teammates on it so it will be fun!
You have committed to play for Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn. Did you look at a lot of schools, and what did you like about the Mustangs’ program?
I looked at quite a few other schools, but what I loved about SMSU was the coaching staff and the players. They all truly showed that they want the best for you always!
Did they recruit you as a setter or an outside hitter, or will you continue to be a dual threat?
The plan is to continue doing both, but I am open and willing to do what is best for the program and what will get me on the court.
Maegan has committed to play for Sioux Falls, which is also a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. At some point, the two of you will likely find yourselves on the opposite sides of the net. Do you think that will be a strange moment for you?
It will definitely be a strange moment just because we have been on the same side of the net for so long, but I think it will be a fun match either way!
What are you planning to study in college?
I am still undecided right now.