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Q: Our daughters started playing volleyball at a very young age due to my interest. I suspect you started very early due to your mom’s interest. When do you remember touching a volleyball?

A: I can’t remember a time when not playing volleyball. My mom is a former athlete and volleyball player. She has been coaching seemingly forever, and I was always around the game. I believe my mom coached both of your daughters.

Q: Your mom was very involved in starting HAVOC, Hope Area Volleyball Club. When did you start playing club volleyball?

A: I started playing at HAVOC with my mom as the coach and Club Director. I then played for Circle City, Team Indiana, and Vision Volleyball, all in Indianapolis. I coached a high school team at HAVOC/Nexus Select the year after graduating from college.

Q: Your Hauser teams performed quite well, even made it to the State Final your senior year in Muncie. What was the State experience like?

A: My favorite memory was definitely playing in the State Championship. It was an experience I will cherish forever. Not many teams make it that far, so being able to play and represent your school was a fun experience. I received the mental attitude award, another great memory.

Q: You chose to go to Eastern Kentucky where you played a lot of volleyball for four years as their libero, defensive and serve-reception specialist. What were some career highlights there?

A: WAC Volleyball Regular Season Champion, UTRGV (2022); The Rider: Athlete of the Week, UTRGV (2022); 1,000 career digs volleyball, EKU (2021); Indoor & Beach Volleyball Team Captain (2018-2022); 2021 ASUN Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 8, 2021); Southern Mississippi All- Tournament Team (2021); ASUN ore-season fan vote defensive player of the year (2021); EKU Volleyball Aces Leader (2018).

Q: In earning a Bachelor’s degree in exercise sports science with a minor in chemistry, how hard was it to attend classes and play volleyball?

A: It was not easy playing volleyball in college when trying to balance school. I was constantly having to study and submit assignments while traveling. Personally I did not like missing class because of missing material that was presented that day and ultimately having to make up the work. In order to balance both school and volleyball, I had to have good time management and organization skills. Coming into college, I had a good foundation of these skills because of playing sports in high school and graduating as valedictorian. The transition between high school and college level classes was easier because of already having a good system set into place.

Q: You elected to continue to play volleyball, a fifth year, this time at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as a libero and work on your master's degree in bioethics. What was the transition like when changing programs and teams?

A: I was fortunate to have a coaching staff and athletic department from both EKU and UTRGV to be supportive of my decision to transfer. It made the process of entering the portal and changing schools go smoothly. When transferring, I had to adjust to a new program, coach, conference, and university. My teammates were awesome, and they made the transition easy.

Q: What were some of your highlights there?

A: We won the regular season Western Athletic Conference and played two matches in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.

Q: What are some of the major differences in high school and college volleyball?

A: The pace of the game is a lot faster. I primarily played outside in high school. In college, transitioning to the libero position was something that took some adjusting; however, playing libero in club volleyball was helpful. There is greater time commitment than in high school: practice every day, lifting three times a week, and team meetings. I was a team captain for both the indoor and beach team and served as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee team representative. So I stayed very busy.

Q: You also played beach volleyball. There are certainly factors on an outside court that are not on an inside court. What would you like to share about that experience?

A: I am so happy to be able to play beach volleyball in college. It was definitely an experience I am grateful for because not a lot of athletes are given the opportunity to play two Division I sports in college. Prior to EKU, I had never played an official game of beach volleyball. There are different rules and skills in beach volleyball to learn. It was an adjustment, but I love playing the sport. I was a part of EKU’s inaugural beach team and still play beach volleyball in my free time.

Q: There are many athletes who stop playing a sport in college. How did you play for five years?

A: Playing a sport in college is difficult regardless of the sport. It was a challenge to play both indoor and beach volleyball because of not having an off-season but certainly worth the hard work and dedication. I loved playing and will cherish those experiences and accomplishments for the rest of my life.

Q: Claire Cruz of “The Republic" did an excellent article about your parents, Becky and Jerry, attending every college match, even when you were in Texas, a total of 197 matches. That’s quite impressive! It had to make you feel very good. How would you describe those feelings?

A: I am grateful for my parents’ support throughout college. Without a doubt, they are always my biggest supporters, and I am very thankful they were able to make all of my matches. They are both coaches and love sports, so coming to all of my matches was something they cherished. Mom played volleyball and Dad played baseball at EKU. Being able to play sports where they did was a unique experience.

Q: You returned to Indiana for a period of time to continue your education online and help out with HAVOC. Do you think Sydney Schoen will continue to be a part of volleyball in some way?

A: Absolutely. I am currently a volunteer coach at Florida Institute of Technology, a Division II school in Melbourne, FL on the campus where I attend medical school. Being a coach allows me to take my mind off of studying. I also live about 5 minutes from the beach, so I am able to play a lot of beach volleyball. I also enjoy teaching my niece, who is 9, the game of volleyball.

Q: Now, you are at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Melbourne, Florida advancing your career path toward being a doctor. What exactly do you want to share?

A: I am currently in my second year of medical school at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. Studying medicine is not easy, but it is very rewarding and gratifying. I love what I do, and I am excited to be a doctor in a few years. In my spare time, I am able to do some very fun things such as: surfing, paddle boarding, beach volleyball, Disney trips, and swimming in the ocean.

Q: It has been a long time since being a fifth grader at Hope Elementary. What did you think you wanted to be then?

A: Honestly, I had no idea. I was just content with hanging out with my friends at recess and playing different sports.

Q: What are the most important points about life and volleyball to share with younger athletes?

A: Character counts more than stats. How you treat people reflects who you are as a person. Work hard, stay dedicated, and enjoy every second of playing your sport.