Editor's note: Every Wednesday throughout the offseason, we'll catch up with volleyball support staff for five questions.
Kayla Schanback | Volunteer Assistant Coach
Q: Take me back to this spring. What was the hiring process like for you coming out of undergraduate at Campbell?
SCHANBACK: "When I went through the hiring process I kind of redid my own recruiting process. I emailed almost every coach under the sun asking if they needed a graduate assistant (GA), volunteer assistant or any type of help. I was just looking for any experience I could get in the coaching world.
"Jill [Wilson] luckily out of the Power Five was one of the only ones to email me back. There were some other ones who emailed me back saying good luck, but not about the next step. So, that's what stood out about Jill. She took the time to answer me and wouldn't mind getting to know me and see if I would be a good fit for the program. I came down in April and had an interview, which I prepared for like almost a month (laughing).
"I got to campus, which I loved, it's gorgeous, and couldn't have asked for anything better. The staff is awesome and they have a lot of experience behind them, so I have a lot to learn. I feel empowered just talking to Jill, so that was another big thing I looked for when I was looking for someone to learn under. You want to learn from the right coach, the right staff and people who are going to push you to be a better person."
Q: You mentioned that Coach Wilson was looking for the right fit. How would you say you are fitting in a couple weeks on the job?
SCHANBACK: "A lot of it has just been camps, so I'm getting really excited to see how our girls are going to be. So far the girls I have interacted with are very nice, they love the program and love volleyball – and that's what it is all about. From what I have seen at camp on how we are going to teach defense, I love. I am very excited to do a different technique and see what else is available."
Q: Each coach has their niche on what they are really knowledgeable about. With you being a libero for Campbell, will your niche be on the defensive end?
SCHANBACK: "I think I have a lot to learn and that's what these next few months are going to be for me, seeing what type of coach I can be. I think that is definitely what you end up clinging to, is something that you played and you know how to do. But you definitely have to be more versatile as a coach. So, Jill talks a lot about being a recruiter, someone who is good at administration and stuff that like.
"So, there are different roles that you can play in being a court coach compared to in the office. I kind of want to put myself out there with being an all-around good coach. I mean, everyone wants to be a good court coach because you are here to make the girls better and have a winning program, but the behind the scenes is important just as much."
Q: What do you think of Blacksburg so far?
SCHANBACK: "Blacksburg has been great so far, and there has been really good weather. I went up to Mountain Lake for fireworks my first week, so it was a good way to start it off. I am used to the heat in Orlando and I'm used to the heat in North Carolina, so when it gets a little hot here I'm used to it. But I am really getting excited for the fall colors and what not. It is a gorgeous campus. So far there hasn't been any traffic here, but I know when the students start filing in that will change."
Q: Has it hit you yet with tying up the shoes and not playing anymore?
SCHANBACK: "A little bit, I'm back and forth on that because I definitely would love to be on the court. That is something that I took this spring to work with the girls from my team and so I have already had that time to push back and see that I'm not playing anymore but I'm still around volleyball, the thing that I love the most. I would like to say I am completely separated from being it but I still don't feel like I have graduated. I don't think that will hit until the season. Right now I'm in camp mode. I'm excited, though, it's a new step, an adventure."
