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Multitasking Gulf Volleyball Team Reaps Multiple Benefits

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 16, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - When Shari Schau reflects on her high school years at Glenbard High in Wheaton, Ill., she recalls a volleyball teammate who earned a scholarship to the University of Southern California.

'At the time, when we were in high school, I graduated in '82, USC was the place to be for volleyball,' said Schau, the volleyball coach at Gulf.

When her former teammate was a sophomore in college, the phone calls became pep talks in which Schau would try to keep her spirits up.

It was from that point on Schau promised she would encourage her players to participate in as many sports as they could stand.

'I encourage the kids to play as many sports as they can because I think it keeps them from being burned out on one sport,' Schau said. 'And they get to communicate and learn teamwork from different coaches; different coaching philosophies, working with different teammates. ... It keeps them out of trouble as well.'

Two of her players, senior Amanda Gardner and junior Jessica Santoli, picked up on that way of thinking and ran with it.

Both players also dabble in soccer and softball.

'It takes a lot of time and effort and sometimes they kind of conflict with the other, but I've always found it easy to give the time and find enough time for it all,' Gardner said.

Not only have the two carved up the time, but also each has meaty grade-point averages. Gardner sits at a 3.7 unweighted GPA and Santoli holds a 3.8 and is ranked 10th in her class.

'A lot of my teammates are in the same classes as I am, so we help each other out,' Santoli said. 'And my parents help me when I'm really stressed out. They talk to me about it and tell me to calm down and that it will be OK.'

Added Gardner: 'Coach Schau always tells us we're students first, so as soon as practice is over, I come home and if I have homework I do it right there. Academics have really been important.'

And by the way, they're also on the Gulf Student Council along with the rest of their volleyball teammates. Seems multitasking is old hat for this bunch.

'I think it's tremendous,' Schau said. 'I think their organizational skills are top-notch. They learn how to budget their time and make sure everything has their full attention.'

The first day of soccer practice was Oct. 8 and the regular season officially begins Oct. 29 - a week after the district volleyball tournament begins.

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