Schubert signs to play for Cal State Fullerton

Schubert signs to play for Cal State Fullerton

It took a while to find the right fit, but New Mexico Military Institute's Sarah Schubert has inked her intent to play for Cal State Fullerton next season.

Schubert, a front-row standout for the Bronco volleyball team, helped lead her squad to a dominant 32-4 overall record during the 2024 campaign, a perfect 14-0 mark in conference, and a No. 3 seed at the NJCAA's D1 Women's Volleyball National Championships. She led NMMI in blocks with 89, had the best attack percentage on the team at .368, and finished second in kills with 308 - numbers which made Sarah an easy selection as the Western Junior College Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Year.

"Sarah was just a great utility kid and super athletic," said Bronco volleyball head coach Shelby Forchtner. "She could do anything. She helped us in all aspects – all three swings across the net. Her sophomore year, she was in the middle. She played on the opposite for us some. But she came in as an outside that could play six rotations."

"I played in the middle my entire sophomore year, but I think I played a different position every match as a freshman," laughed Schubert. "Did I have fun, though? Yes! And that was my favorite part: being able to switch up and move."

That versatility was likely a large part of what new Cal State Fullerton head coach Nicky Cannon was looking for when recruiting Schubert to come play for the Titans, as she tries to turn around a program that went 4-24 last season.

And coach Cannon has already asked Sarah to be a team captain.

"One of four captains on an18-person team," clarified Schubert. "We've got a big freshmen class coming in because it's a new coaching staff. Coach said she picked me because of my background and ability to play multiple positions."

That background for Schubert includes 67 matches played as a frosh and soph at NMMI at the NJCAA D1 level, against some of the best junior college teams in the nation. She finished her juco career with 464 kills, 132 total blocks, 282 digs, 29 aces, and even 25 assists.

"Sarah has just a really good ability to draw people in," said NMMI coach Forchtner. "She cares about everybody on her team. She has really good leadership skills. She connects well with people. She weaves her way into everybody's world and I expect her to do that same thing when she transitions into a four-year space.

On the academic side, Schubert held out on choosing a school in order to find a program with her desired major of civil engineering.  

"I've grown up in Hawaii," said Schubert about her choice of a major. "Water is all around me. Water as a resource, hydraulic systems, trying to use water effectively. I want to learn to make use of one of our most abundant natural resources and help to make it work to our community's advantage."

And since the Titans are in the Big West Conference, along with the University of Hawaii, Sarah will get to play, at least once, back at home in front of family and friends.

"I'll miss my teammates and just how we did things," finished Ms. Schubert. "I'll miss my coaches, who took the time to understand me, were very patient with me, and taught me how to communicate efficiently, even tho I'm not a 'rah-rah' type of person. And I'll miss NMMI: what I learned about discipline here, and all the interesting, driven and purposeful people."