Hadley Schmidt on leaving a legacy in WolfPack volleyball

Hadley Schmidt’s journey from the rural roots of Drake, Sask., to the heart of U SPORTS volleyball at Thompson Rivers University is paved with grit, leadership and a whole lot of love for the game.

Now in her fifth year with the TRU WolfPack, Schmidt has emerged as a vocal leader, a relentless competitor and the embodiment of what it means to grow through the sport.

“I would say I’m super outgoing, energetic and competitive,” Schmidt said. 

“I always try to lead by example, and my teammates would probably tell you I’m the loud one — in the best way.”

That voice, honed through years of competition and camaraderie, found its roots in small-town Saskatchewan, where Schmidt grew up on a farm with 600 head of cattle and a deep-seated work ethic.

“We had to go outside and do chores, take care of the cows, all of that,” she said. 

“That’s where a lot of my determination and work ethic comes from. You just do what needs to be done.”

Despite Schmidt’s elementary school’s policy of allowing students to play only from Grade 6 on, she begged the principal to let her join a Grade 8 team in Grade 5.

“I was so passionate about it from the beginning,” she said. 

“And that definitely came from my mom — she played college volleyball too.”

The competitive fire was also fuelled by her upbringing. With a younger brother and a crew of cousins who loved sports, she grew to be competitive in hockey, basketball, or anything else that involved keeping score.

When it came time to choose a university, a visit to Kamloops in Grade 11 sealed it.

“I came out here and met Kendra Finch and Olga Savenchuk, two players on the team at the time, and I just immediately felt this connection,” she said. 

“It reminded me of home, that small-town vibe, and I just knew this was where I wanted to be.”

That early instinct proved right. Schmidt was part of a huge rookie class, with 11 first-years joining the program in her first two seasons. Now, several of those same players, including Madison Maichin, Faith Christensen and Brooklyn Olfert, are the ones she shares the court and leadership duties with.

“We’ve grown together in this program,” Schmidt said. 

“It’s not just about volleyball anymore. It’s about the personal relationships we’ve built. We’re having fun out there.”

That sense of camaraderie, she said, was modelled after the older players she looked up to in her first year.

“I lived with three fifth-years my first year,” she said. 

“They were the best role models. Now, I want to be that for our younger players. We don’t have a lot of structured meetings or rules, we just try to create an open, comfortable environment.”

Schmidt and her teammates are active leaders in the WolfPack Athletic Council (WAC), an initiative launched by student-athletes to create more community among teams.

“We wanted to create more opportunities for athletes to voice their opinions and get involved,” she said. 

“It’s really about building a community.”

It’s also about giving back — something that’s come full circle for Schmidt. She vividly remembers meeting U SPORTS players that she looked up to, like Saskatchewan’s Emily Humbert at a young age. Now, the setter is the one that young fans are inspired by.

“This little girl came up to me on her birthday and her mom said I was her favourite player,” Schmidt said. 

“It was such a special moment. I used to be that kid, and now I hope I can be that inspiration for someone else.”

Schmidt, who is pursuing a business degree, has her eyes set on professional volleyball after graduation — whether it’s in Europe or through the emerging pro league in the United States. But regardless of where the game takes her, she’s proud of the mark she’s made in Kamloops.

“I set a goal to be a leader on this team,” she said. 

“And I’ve worked five years for this. I’m proud of the person I’ve become.”

Above all, she hopes the legacy she leaves behind is one of inclusivity and relentless determination.

“We always say, stay hungry,” she said. 

“We don’t want to be the team that sits back. No matter who we’re playing, we want to be the ones pushing.”

After five seasons, Schmidt has done exactly that for her team, her school and every kid watching from the stands.