Feeling like she was running out of time, senior captain of the Westford Academy Girls’ Volleyball team, Norah Schweitzer, didn’t know what she wanted to do in college when she was a junior. However, she is now committing to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Honors College (UMass Dartmouth) to play Division III volleyball.
Having played for the Mill City Volleyball club team for three years, Schweitzer feels prepared to start her college season.
According to Schweitzer, she originally started playing volleyball because her height gave her an advantage, Schweitzer continues her volleyball journey now because she loves it.
“I really enjoy putting in the effort and work to get good at [volleyball], now I can’t imagine my life without it,” Schweitzer said.
According to Schweitzer, the recruiting process started out with her thinking she was behind in the search for colleges. It had taken her time to narrow down the type of college she wanted to go to.
“A lot of people get recruited their junior year, but I didn’t really know what I wanted in a college by then,” Schweitzer said.
Once she narrowed down what she wanted for herself, Schweitzer was able to make the decision for her future.
Schweitzer considered other options such as Ohio Northern University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, however Schweitzer still chose to Commit to UMass Dartmouth due to its expansive study options, as well as the volleyball team and its coaches.
Schweitzer will be majoring in Mechanical Engineering, aiming to make a difference to the world around her, looking to make a positive contribution to the Dartmouth volleyball team, and is excited for the opportunity to make friends and meet new people.
According to Schweitzer, mechanical engineering is easily applicable to the real world, and she also loves to understand how things work.
Players and coaches on the team agree that Schweitzer is a good leader and volleyball player, and that she is able to help the team’s enthusiastic feelings.
“She had always had a positive outlook and contagious energy. She was very good at lifting up our team spirit and giving advice,” girls’ varsity volleyball captain Kaitlyn Pepin said.
Schweitzer plays as a middle hitter and occasionally as an outside hitter. In volleyball, middle hitters focus on defense at the net, blocking, and sometimes central attacks. While an outside hitter is one of the primary attackers in a match.
“She’s very versatile,” girls’ and boys’ volleyball coach Brandon Eang said. “She has developed her skill set really well, with the front row hitters, the back row hitters, she’s very balanced.”
According to Eang, Schweitzer is a great leader as captain, bringing a lot of positive energy and motivation to get the team fired up and ready to play.
Schweitzer also wants to do the same in her college season and be able to contribute to her UMass Dartmouth team.
“I definitely want to make a big impact on the court and be able to work towards goals,” Schweitzer said. “Just to be a team player.”
