Coming Up Aces – University of Maryland Athletics

Schnitta’s journey to Maryland wasn’t linear, though. She committed to Ole Miss at the age of 16. She was born and raised a fan of the Rebels, going to sporting events in Oxford as both her parents attended the school as student-athletes. Her father played football, and her mother played volleyball. When Ole Miss entered the picture, Schnitta says it was an easy decision to commit. 

The two-time high school All-American and Blue Valley’s record-holder in career kills, blocks, hitting percentage, digs and service aces committed under Ole Miss’ head coach at the time, Steven McRoberts. But concluding the 2019 season, McRoberts was let go after six years at the helm. 

Former Olympic libero Kayla Banwarth replaced him, but Schnitta still honored her commitment. Schnitta became part of a young 2020-21 Ole Miss team that particularly struggled to compete during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rebels went just 1-19 that season, but Schnitta was one of the team’s bright spots. 

In her collegiate debut, Schnitta recorded 10 kills and 12 digs, becoming the first freshman to record a double-double in a season opener in over a decade. She ended her rookie year by starting in all 20 matches while finishing with a team-high five double-doubles and 28 service aces, the most by a freshman in single-season program history since 2008. Schnitta admits that her success as a freshman instilled confidence, but the team’s struggles complicated things.  

“We were putting in the work in the gym, but it wasn’t working out for us on the court,” she said. “We just continued to believe in each other and believe for ourselves. We were doing it for each other.”