DLN ALL-AREA: Bishop Shanahan’s Shultz bounces back, helps Eagles return to final
DOWNINGTOWN >> Bishop Shanahan junior Cara Shultz, the 2018 Daily Local News Girls’ Volleyball Player of the Year, faced a difficult challenge in her sophomore year when she was sidelined by a stress fracture and watched the Eagles soar to the PIAA Class 4A championship match without her.
“The most challenging part of my rehab was trying to keep a positive mental state and attitude,” said Shultz. “For me, this was extremely difficult because I felt like I was seriously missing out. I kept asking my Physical Therapist and our Shanahan athletic trainer, who both were critical in my healing and recovery, ‘When do you think I can play again?’
“I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to play and contribute in an athletic way, but in the end, it was still one of the greatest seasons I’ve been a part of, and I learned two major lessons from this injury – always try to keep a positive attitude when things don’t go your way, and live in the moment, because it could be gone in an instant. It was a humbling experience, to say the least.”
Because of her injury, and because the Eagles lost in the 2017 PIAA 4A championship finals, Shultz was extremely motivated coming into this season.
“I wanted to show that I wasn’t out of the game because of a leg injury, and many of my long-time teammates were seniors, and I wanted to have one more great high school season with them,” said Shultz. “I think our team as a whole was motivated coming into this season – we wanted to win a state championship – and I think that is part of the reason we played so well this year.”
Led by Shultz, the Eagles returned to the PIAA 4A championship final this fall, sweeping Parkland 3-0 in the state semifinals, and captured the PIAA 4A District 1 title. Shultz was named Shanahan’s Most Valuable Player, and received all-state honors as well as first team All-District 1 and All-Ches-Mont selection.
The junior outside hitter led the Eagles (23-2) in kills (352), aces (100), service attempts and points scored from her serve. A versatile performer, she played all six rotations and made 241 digs and 35 blocks. On a team noted for players who can slug the ball, she compiled more than 2/3 of the Eagles’ kills and a fine .345 hitting percentage.
Shanahan girls’ volleyball head coach Greg Ashman said, “Of all the players I have had the privilege to coach, Cara stands out as one of the tops. Cara is a joy to coach, she is motivated, disciplined, and a very hard worker. Her high volleyball IQ allows us to push her game to another level. Cara pushes herself to be the best and doesn’t accept anything less from her teammates, both on the court and with her studies.”
Shultz, who has committed to the application process at Yale University, grew up in a volleyball family. Her two older sisters, Rita and Renee, both played for Ashman at Bishop Shanahan, and Renee (who now plays volleyball for Yale) was the Daily Local News Girls Volleyball Player of the Year in 2017.
“I learned from Renee to always brush off the previous point, especially if it goes poorly,” said Shultz. “Having Renee there with me at Shanahan for two years really helped me to reign in my emotions on the court, and I think she was a great influence on me, as well as a great teammate.”
Shultz helped Shanahan write a whole new volleyball chapter this fall, winning 23 of 24 matches up to the state finals, and sweeping through the PIAA 4A state tournament, beating Hempfield, Downingtown West and Parkland by a combined score of 12-1. The Eagles really soared in the state semifinals against District 11 champion Parkland, winning 25-23, 25-12, 25-20 at Quakertown High School. Shultz contributed 13 kills, 11 digs and six blocks.
“Parkland is, without a doubt, one of the top programs in the state, but this game was so much fun because every system we ran just clicked,” said Shultz. “We played one of our best matches of the season, and it was just an amazing feeling in an intense environment.”
After the game, Ashman said, with a laugh, “Cara’s on a mission this season; she’s out to prove that she’s going to make people pay for her missing last year. She wants everyone to see how good of a player she is; she’s a fantastic player to coach – she’s always working in practice to get better. She sees the game at a level that most people can’t see at her age.”
Shultz likes the type of broad-based skills the outside hitter position requires.
“As an outside hitter, I get the opportunity to use a lot of different volleyball skills all around the court – I get to hit, block, pass, and serve – skills which are all equally important for an outside hitter,” said Shultz. “Overall, it’s a very fun position to play.”
Shultz features a strong serving game, and has been working on making her top-spin serve more of a weapon.
“In the last couple of years, I’ve also been working on my defensive game, specifically digging,” said Shultz. “Not only is it a genuinely hard skill to master, but in my opinion, it is the most fun aspect of the game, and I look forward to working on it at every practice. The hustle that goes into saving a play is what makes the game worth it.”
Shultz is looking forward to next fall, when Shanahan tries again for a state championship under the coaching of Greg Ashman.
“Playing for Coach Greg has been awesome, and the most important thing I’ve learned from him is to keep learning – there are always areas where you can improve,” said Shultz. “He has really helped me see the game differently in the last three years, and I’m grateful to him for all the help he’s given me.”
Another mentor for Shultz is her father, Ed, who played football for Army and started playing volleyball during his service time in Germany.
“My Dad has taught me lessons that no other coach could teach, and playing for him in middle school was one of the best experiences,” said Shultz. “The most important thing I’ve learned from him is to persevere and work for what you get – nothing will ever be handed to you, and your work ethic will get you where you want to go.”
Ed Shultz, like his daughter, knows what it’s like to overcome physical adversity. In 1986, as a 20-year-old cadet, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma but went on to become only the fifth five-year letterman at Army, the first since 1929. His comeback was profiled in the Oct. 3, 1988 issue of Sports Illustrated.
“My Dad and Mom are the people I most admire,” said Cara. “They are both incredibly strong and truly the most supportive parents. Their love and strength inspires me to, one day, raise my kids the way they raised me.”
Off the court, Shultz participates in many activities at Shanahan – Channel 2 Morning News, Mock Trial, National Honor Society, the Ministry Club, Community Service Corps, Italian Club, and Ambassador’s Club. In the spring, she is a thrower for the Shanahan track and field team.
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FUN FACTS >> CARA SHULTZ
Favorite book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Favorite author: Rick Riordan.
Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy.
Favorite movie: Big Hero 6.
Favorite athlete: Kerri Walsh Jennings.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Victorious by Panic! At the Disco.
Favorite team: Notre Dame football.
Favorite place to visit: Ocean City, N.J.
Favorite pre-game meal: Wawa hoagie with an iced coffee.
Family members: parents Ed and Maria, sisters Rita (22), Renee (19) and Coco (15).
