This fall, she set NRHEG single-season school records with 477 kills and 108 ace serves. She also established NRHEG career marks with 1,381 kills, 741 digs, 202 ace blocks and 194 ace serves.
The 2011 Panthers won 23 matches, the third best total in school history.
According to NRHEG volleyball coach Joe Kuechenmeister, Schlaak is one of those players who has no weaknesses on the court.
“The great thing about Anna is that she's an all-around player,” said Kuechenmeister. “She can do it all. She's known for her ability to sky above the net and send rockets to the ground, but her passing and serve receive is nearly as good. I'm confident that whatever ways her coaches at the next level decide to use her, front row or back row, she'll be more than ready to have an impact.”
She’ll join a Concordia program that has a 26-2 record and ranked third in the national coach’s poll. Concordia won the last four national titles.
Kuechenmeister said it’s a big step from high school to college volleyball but feels it’s one Schlaak is ready to take.
“The fact that Anna has played with some of the most talented high school volleyball players in the state during her J.O. seasons with Northern Lights should make that transition much easier,” said Kuechenmeister. “Concordia is a tremendous D2 volleyball program, so who's to say for sure if she'll make an immediate impact, but I'll tell you one thing. I wouldn't bet against it.”
Schlaak said she chose Concordia because she liked the idea of a small college in a big city and the chance to play for a championship-caliber team. The biggest influence that led her there? Her sister, Kelli, a 2002 NRHEG graduate.
“I learned a lot from her,” she said. “I also wanted to do it for my parents, who spent a lot of money so I could play in the offseason.”
Schlaak, who plans to major in biology and minor in chemistry at Concordia, is a player Kuechenmeister and Panthers will definitely miss.
“Anna's been a complete privilege to coach,” said Kuechenmeister. “She never ceased to amaze me with her overall ability and anticipation, and she added a fun dynamic to the team with her goofy personality. She's definitely going to be missed, but she's got a bright future ahead of her and I wish her the best of luck.”
So far, luck has had little to do with it.
