Madison Schau is a senior at Buchanan High School.

What has been one of your greatest accomplishments as an athlete?

MS: Coming back to play with my team after tearing my ACL my freshman year on varsity.

What has been one of your biggest disappointments as an athlete?

MS: Not being able to play the rest of the volleyball season my freshman year and being out for 8 months. I also couldn’t play soccer my freshman year either which I had been really looking forward to.

Who is a “hero” in your life and why?

MS: My parents. They are my biggest supporters. My mom is always there when I have to talk about certain hits or plays I get frustrated with and my dad is always there to talk to me about what he sees when watching the game.

When are you the most nervous while you are competing?

MS: When my whole family is watching. Even though they are very supportive I still want to impress them.

Describe an embarrassing athletic moment.

MS: We were in the middle of a play against Edwardsburg and my shoe started to fall off_.. I tripped, still got up to set the ball and by that time my shoe was completely off and we still kept the play going while my shoe was off. We got the point and I got my shoe back.

How do you tend to work out/train on your own?

MS: I like running by myself to clear my head and get a good workout. Sometimes I like coming in the gym a little bit before practice to work with our setter or just pass the ball. I also have two sisters on the team so even when we are at home we will practice with the volleyball.

What other sport would you like to compete in if you were not playing yours?

MS: If they would let me I would play boys soccer. Unfortunately they don’t allow you to play boys and girls.

Why are sports an important part of a high school experience?

MS: It teaches you leadership and teamwork. It also teaches you to work hard. They don’t call it student athlete for nothing. I’ve become a pro at icing my knees while working on homework.

How would you give away $50,000?

MS: Right now, I would split it up and send it to the families who have had their homes taken by all the natural disasters occurring.

If you could be the head coach of a team for a year, what team would you choose?

MS: I would choose the year my little sister is a senior. I would love to coach her.

If I did not play sports, I would…?

MS: I would put all my energy into studying and be a “huge” fan of the Bucks.

What is the most challenging thing for you to do in your sport?

MS: To keep pushing to do my best even when my knees are hurting.

If you could change one rule about your sport, what would it be?

MS: I would be more lenient about the “in the net” rule. It drives me crazy when like your pinky barely touches it and you get called.

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

MS: A parent from an opposing team came up and said, “we noticed you had a brace on, but that obviously did not stop you. You played amazing.”

What was the scariest thing you have had to do? Are you glad you did it?

MS: Before high school ball, I played club volleyball and it was always with my sister. Freshman year we were on separate teams so it was so scary to play with people I had never played with before. But it has helped form the athlete that I am today so I am glad that I stuck with it.

What was the last thing you saw someone do that really impressed you?

MS: I just went to a Notre Dame vs. Michigan State volleyball game and even though Michigan state had way taller girls Notre Dame won in three.

What is your favorite hobby? Why?

MS: I really enjoy playing my sports. Not only is it what I love doing but I also get to spend time with my teammates and coaches. We are like a small family.

Choose one word to describe yourself:

MS: Devoted.