Nick Schelkopf '20 Recruiting Profile

 ***Updated***

    On September 6, 2017 on the way home from school, the car I was in was struck on my side (passenger) while turning into my neighborhood. I was trapped in the car and unknowingly pushed myself out with my arms. Both of my lungs were collapsed, I had 10 broken ribs on the right side of my body, my lower back was fractured in multiple places, and I had virtually no blood pressure. I was life-flighted to a trauma center in Atlanta where, upon arrival, I was placed on a ventilator for 3 days and underwent an emergency splenectomy due to my spleen being ruptured and bleeding out into my body.  Due to the amount of blood lost, I had to have multiple units of blood and plasma transfused into my body to become stable. I had chest tubes placed in both lungs to draw out the excess air and blood in my chest cavity. The next day, I had ORIF surgery to repair my hip which had 4 fractures and many fragments, and again received multiple units of blood and plasma from blood loss. One week before I left the hospital, an x-ray of my lungs found that there was 250 mL of fluid surrounding my heart, which had to be removed through a drain and a surgery to create a pericardial window. Finally, on September 28, I was able to go home on a walker, which I would have to use for 3 months as to not put any pressure on my right leg. During the time while I was in the hospital, I had to restart the 1st semester of school and complete in just 12 weeks, but still managed to earn a 4.0 GPA. I also had physical and occupational therapy daily, pushing me to walk and get on my feet every day. I had prepared myself to be done with volleyball because of the stress I thought it might put on my body. However, less than 5 months after the accident, and 2 months after learning how to walk again, I found myself back on the court with my team, placing 3rd in a national qualifier and earning a 16 Open bid to Nationals. If being in the hospital taught me anything, life doesn't always go the way you wish for it to go, but through strength and perseverance you can be successful. I think this sets me apart from other athletes because I show strength when faced with adversity, I know how to keep my head high, and I have patience.

    I am a 5'11" rising Freshman out of Peachtree City, GA. I have been playing club volleyball for around 5 years, starting with my first year of club at Tsunami Volleyball Club on my sister's U12 team when I was 9 years old. I have also played for Southern Storm Boys Volleyball and am currently competing with A5 Volleyball Cub. Over the years, I have helped my team with many top finishes at tournaments including 5th and 3rd Place finishes at USAV BJNC and a 2nd Place finish at AAU National Championships. At the AAU National Championships I was also awarded as an All American. In addition to indoor, I am also an avid sand volleyball player. My partner and I have earned bids to the Rox Nationals Championships, USAV JBT National Championships, and East Coast Beach All-Star Championships. I am a very passionate player and put my all into everything I do, whether it be on or off the court.

    I LOVE volleyball! Playing at the highest level possible alongside the best players is my goal. I am a very strong back row player with my passing and defense. I am also a well-rounded hitter. I have a high volleyball IQ and know when I may need to take a some pace off of the ball or make a smart shot. I am able to play all positions, but I have proved to be strongest at setting an hitting. I have experience playing and training at both positions and have proved to be equally as effective at either. Attitude in the game means just as much as the way you play. I have been described as a player with a great attitude on the court and off the court towards my teammates and my friends. I also love to encourage and support my teammates. In college, I intend to play for an elite program where I can make an impact and be a vital part of the team