Emma Ricuito is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Deer Valley High School for AZPreps365.com

On the Deer Valley Skyhawks, libero Carsyn Schuch is digging her way to help the team win in the 2019 season.

Schuch, who’s been playing volleyball since she was 7, is now a junior and thriving as the Skyhawks’ libero.

Schuch is a tough player, and her teammates and coaches know that when the ball is in play, she’ll be there to keep it up almost every time. Along with being such a strong force on the court, she has a very bubbly personality, which really shines through when she talks about the sport she’s grown up to love.

Through late October, she has amassed 424 digs on the season so far, which leads the 4A region and is 71 more than the next most. Schuch attributes her performance to the hard work she’s put into the game but gives most of the credit to people who have helped her along the way.

“Without my coaches since I was 7, I don’t think I’d be where I am,” Schuch said as she smiles, recalling her volleyball past. “There’s these things that still go through my head from all the different coaches of what they tell me and what works for me.”

As part of her libero duties, Schuch leads the Skyhawks defense and is devoted to doing it. She maintains her positive attitude during sets, while at the same time calling the ball and making sure everyone is on the same page.

“I control the back row,” Schuch said. “I have to be my best at all times and encourage the other people in the back row.”

Libero is the only position she’s ever played, and she’s always been a natural at activating her strong defensive abilities. Her fellow defensive specialists Avrey Dunn and Tatum Stelter admire her resilient attitude and reliability at the back of the court.

“I can count on her when she’s next to me,” Dunn said. “If I can’t get there, she’s gonna get there.”

The two girls feel a sense of ease when playing with Schuch; They feel as if she makes their jobs simpler.

“In long rallies she can read really well and get the ball up for us,” Stelter said.

Because she partially tore her ACL not too long ago, Schuch always makes sure she stretches before games. This, along with her other pregame superstitions, is something she needs to take part in before every match.

“I have to have the right socks and a specific hair tie,” Schuch said, letting out a chuckle. “It’s weird. It probably doesn’t work.”

Keeping to a regimented individual preparation is something that’s important to Schuch, but she’s never selfish when it comes to thinking about how her performance impacts her team. She has 49 aces on the year, and Schuch always considers that she needs to take serving just as seriously as her main job.

“Serving is by yourself, it’s pretty much all on you, you’re in control of that ball,” Schuch said.

Deer Valley is 29-8, with the regular season nearly wrapped. Schuch's talents were on full display earlier this month, when Deer Valley beat Flagstaff (11-1 at the time) in four sets.

In the Flagstaff match, Schuch had 24 digs total, and she normally averages 4.2 digs per set. She also had five aces, tying her season high. Clearly this was a standout game for Schuch, and she only plans on getting better.

Schuch’s normally bubbly personality quickly turns competitive at game time, and she’s always determined and ready for anything on the court. When the server has the ball and play is about to begin, she talks to opponents in her head.

“Come at me,” Schuch dares them.