Exeter’s Elizabeth Schultz to play volleyball at West Chester University

Elizabeth Schultz, a senior at Exeter Township High School, was ready consider several colleges she would like to attend. The standout outside hitter on the Lade Eagles girls volleyball team was seriously considering going to Lock Haven University in the fall. Then she visited the campus at West Chester University. Right from the start she knew that West Chester was the place she wanted to be.

Last month she made it official when she signed her Letter-of-Intent to play volleyball at West Chester University.

“I just fell in love with the school,’ said Schultz. “I like the atmosphere at the school and I’ve heard so many amazing things about it. It also had what I’m looking for academically. I want to study exercise science and pre-physical therapy.’

Elizabeth was contacted by one of the coaches at West Chester last spring. In the summer she visited the school, where she took a tour, then had a chance to meet her coaches and some of her future teammates.

“It was a great visit,’ she said. “I just felt comfortable there. I knew that West Chester would be my first choice.

“Once I made my choice, it was a relief. It was a stressful, but exciting time. My parents and high school volleyball coach helped me through the recruiting process. I was excited and happy to make my choice, and I’m also glad that it was close to home.’

Schultz will be joining a team that finished at 10-12 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference last fall, and was 21-14 overall. In league pley, the team has hovered around the .500 in recent years and Schultz hopes to help her team nudge that into winning records and championships.

She was told that she has every chance of getting some playing time right from the start. It’s not easy to get significant playing time as a freshman, but Schultz said she’s going to give it a shot.

“The coaches told me that you must play your way into haing a shot at playing time,’ she said. “Everyone is equal when the first practice starts.

“I’m excited, but a little nervous. It’s definitely a higher level of play at the college level. It’s more intense and the practices will be more intense as well. It’s going to take more of my time, but that’s all right. I’m used to managing my time.’