Cameron Scheitzach Always Sacrifices Self in Favor of Team

There’s on the job training, and then there’s what UK senior setter Cameron Scheitzach has been able to do for the last three seasons. While it can be said that some people learn from the best, Scheitzach has literally spent the last three seasons learning from Madison Lilley, the 2020 National Volleyball Player of the Year who led Kentucky to the national championship last season.

What has Scheitzach learned from Lilley?

“I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “Whether that’s technical, whether that’s mental, leadership-wise, I’ve learned everything under the sun from her and I’m really thankful for that.”

Now, with Lilley graduated, Scheitzach will have a chance to compete for the role as UK’s starting setter, competing with freshman Emma Grome to succeed Lilley. Scheitzach feels ready for the moment in front of her.

“I definitely think preparation in the past years have led me up to this moment,” Scheitzach said. “I look at it as an opportunity. An opportunity to get time on the court by also an opportunity to train Emma and work with (UK head coach) Craig (Skinner) even more and lead that position group.”

Last season, Scheitzach played in 28 sets and had 14 assists. She added four service aces and six digs during her time on the floor. Despite playing behind the national player of the year, Scheitzach found a way to get on the court by either serving or playing defense.

Skinner spent a lot of time last year praising Scheitzach for leading UK’s second team, which faced the starters in practice every day. Scheitzach was appreciative of those comments.

“You always want your coach to say things like that,” Scheitzach said. “Craig’s a great guy. He does such a good job of noticing everyone on the court.”

As for being a national champion, it’s still something that Scheitzach is trying to wrap her head around.

“It’s unbelievable. Really speaks volume of our character, integrity and also our chemistry,” Scheitzach said. “We all had one mission. Going into this season, it’s important to understand that a majority of us have experience with that, have experience with a good team, on and off the court.”

Now, the Orlando, Florida, native hopes to take the reins as the setter for what should be, once again, one of the best offenses in the country. Scheitzach knows that her team will be the hunted this season and she knows that her team has not yet earned a thing.

“We have to respect all and fear none,” Scheitzach said. “Going into this season, it’s a clean slate. We don’t deserve anything, we have to earn it.”