By: Joe Cicchino - Sports Information Assistant

FORT WASHINGTON -- As November approaches, so does the playoff season for high school athletics. While teams are gearing up to play in the first round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association girls volleyball tournament today, Germantown Academy must wait until Nov. 3 for their chance.

And for good reason.

After going 13-2 in the regular season and winning 12 of their matches in straight sets, the Patriots earned the second overall seed and a first round bye in the tournament.

Through many of those results, it has been Jenna Schumann '18 that has led the way on offense. The senior has had 11 games where she was the team leader in kills and according to head coach Daniel Sullivan, is one of the leaders in attacks.

As impressive as her numbers on the year are, one would think that Schumann has been playing volleyball since an extremely young age.

However, that is not entirely the case.

"I started playing in fifth or sixth grade," Schumann said. "My dad always played volleyball. My dad was definitely a big influence."

Schumann said that she got into the sport by passing the ball with her father around in their yard at home. She then began playing in a CYO league.

Soon enough, it was time for high school, where Schumann made the varsity team as a freshman. Ever since then, she's only gotten better.

"She's grown every year," Sullivan said. "She’s probably the most versatile player in the league, probably the most versatile player I’ve ever coached. Offensively she’s a powerhouse and defensively she’s just tenacious. She’s the whole package." 

That versatility was needed when Schumann had to change positions her freshman year.

“I came in as an outside hitter and there were already two other outside hitters,” Schumann said. “I played right side for two years which was a switch, but it ended up helping me a lot. It was a good experience.”

Now a senior – and back at her original position – Schumann is one of three captains for the volleyball team.

Sullivan said that she is a strong, quiet leader, and "knows how to give you that look to get more out of you.”

However, leading the team is not Schumann’s only responsibility when she is out playing.

“She plays all around the court,” Sullivan said. “She’s called on to do many different things and she pulls it off. She does really well.”

While her final season as a Patriot is winding down, it’s obvious that the senior still has plenty of passion for the game and for the team she been a part of for the past four years.

“It’s just a really fun game to play,” Schumann said. “It’s really fast paced and it’s going to be different every time you play. I really love our team.”