Hampton volleyball star Emmy Schrom staying close to home at Duquesne

By: John Grupp
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

When Hampton two-time all-state volleyball player Emmy Schrom began looking at colleges, proximity was a priority.

“I just didn’t want to go that far away,” she said. “I feel like I owe it to my parents, and everyone else that has helped me, to be able to come and watch me play on a regular basis.”

Schrom, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter in the Class of 2024, committed on June 20 to attend Division I Duquesne on a full scholarship. She was considering a couple of South Carolina schools — Winthrop and Coastal Carolina — but she opted for the Atlantic 10 program about 10 miles down the road from her home.

“I was pretty sure early on that I wanted to stay close, and Duquesne was my best option,” said Schrom, who will sign her letter of intent in November. “I just wanted to be done. It felt like the right fit for me, and I’m happy with my choice.”

Schrom helped lead Hampton to the 2021 WPIAL and PIAA finals as a sophomore and last year powered the Talbots’ first undefeated regular season and first outright section title in program history.

“We couldn’t be more happy for her to make that commitment,” Hampton coach Dainen Holler said. “I think it’s a good choice for her.

“She has a great arm. She swings hard. She gets to the ball. She does everything really well and is fundamentally sound.”

Schrom stayed busy in the offseason playing for the Revolution club team and competing in numerous outdoor volleyball events around Western Pennsylvania. Schrom and Hampton setter Lilly Muczinski, a rising sophomore, won the Shaler Smackdown on July 21-22 and were scheduled to compete in Susquehanna Smash on Aug. 4-6.

Schrom and North Allegheny’s Kyra Schmidt paired to win the Pottstown Rumble in late June and reached the finals of the Pittsburgh Grass Open, an AVP Grass Tour event, in the girls 18U junior division on July 28. But they fell short in their bid for a third consecutive title in the event, losing to Isabella Hoppe of Pine-Richland and Natalie Carr of Canon-McMillan.

“I’m just gearing up for high school season, going to open gyms and ready to go,” said Schrom, who led the Talbots last season with 229 kills and 58 aces. “I think the team is going to do really well this year.”

Practice for the 2024 high school season begins Aug. 14. The Talbots went 19-1 last season, suffering an upset loss to No. 10 seed South Fayette in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals.

Holler, entering his second season, said Schrom “has a full toolbox. She has every shot that you need.”

“It’s funny, because I honestly say to myself, ‘OK, what could she possibly get better at?’ ” he said. “And she just finds ways to excel at every level. Every part of her game just continues to get better.”

At Duquesne, Schrom will play for coach Steve Opperman, who is in his 26th season and ranks as the Dukes’ all-time winningest coach with 351 career victories. He is a four-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.

The Dukes went 8-22 last season (5-13 in the A-10), their sixth consecutive losing season. They made their lone appearance in the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament in 2013.

“He’s a great volleyball coach,” Schrom said of Opperman. “He’s very friendly. He’s very easy to talk to. … It’s just a good program, and it’s a very healthy program. I know a lot of girls that have been happy going there, and it just seemed like a good fit for me.”

Tags: Hampton