Schmaltz Hopes to Make Even Bigger Contributions in 2019

With nearly every championship team, there is a player, or a group of players, who don’t get nearly enough credit. The stars get the headlines, but without these so-called role players, the team would not have the same level of success.

As the Kentucky volleyball team has claimed back-to-back SEC championships, the Wildcats have had a player who fits that bill in Kylie Schmaltz.

Schmaltz is not a player who gets much recognition on the court. But her contributions to the program simply cannot be measured with statistics.

Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner knows that Schmaltz is admired by her teammates for everything she gives to the team and because of the incredible athlete she is.

“Kylie has a whole lot of respect as an athlete from all of the players on our team,” Skinner said. “I heard that this summer, she finished second overall in the competitive (fitness) series of volleyball players, gymnasts, soccer players, softball players. To do that is a significant thing as an athlete.”

Schmaltz tries to do everything she can do on a daily basis to make herself and the players around her better.

“I think in practices, I bring a lot of energy and competitiveness,” Schmaltz said. “Almost every practice, we play ‘sixes’, where it’s the starters against our side, and my side is always riled up and ready to go.”

Schmaltz has accumulated 11 digs in her career, including a career-high five scoops against Cincinnati in a 2017 match. The Verona, Wisconsin, native has two brothers currently playing in the National Hockey League, a fact that Skinner thinks only helps Schmaltz on the volleyball court.

“Being around other athletes and competitors in your family, there’s nothing that will surprise Kylie in terms of what it takes to be successful at this level,” Skinner said.

Schmaltz may appear to be shy to those outside of the program, but she says that’s actually far from the case.

“I’m actually quite loud. If you don’t know me, I’m shy,” Schmaltz said. “I’m not going to approach somebody, but if you know me, I’m super loud and outgoing. Craig always jokes ‘Kylie, are you ever going to shut up’?”

This season, Skinner thinks that Schmaltz can contribute on the court because of the vast improvements she has made.

“Kylie is an entirely different player than she was when she got here,” Skinner said. “She’s gained confidence, she’s gained skill. Just her presence at practice, as a senior, has been really good to this point and we really need that because that’s something that we lost from a couple of our seniors, McKenzie (Watson) and Merideth (Jewell), last season. For teams to be successful, you need to have that type of commitment, energy and passion and I think Kylie can bring that. It’s slowly bringing that out of her, and I think she’s starting to embrace that now.”

Schmaltz hopes to make the most of her final year of collegiate volleyball.

“This year, I want to bring all I can to the team and see where that plays out for me,” Schmaltz said. “Not leaving any regrets on the court. Just giving it my all and see where that takes me.”

It could take her, and the Cats, to a third straight SEC championship. If it does, Schmaltz may not get the recognition, but her part in making a championship happen will be significant.