Maggie Schmelzle was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team last year on the strength of her all-around game, specifically her hitting.

The outside hitter was third on the Terrapin volleyball team with an average of 2.74 kills per game. She was a key part of the offense and one of the leading returning hitters.

However, shoulder surgery in December caused her once-powerful hitting to weaken, and Schmelzle was unable to return to form as the regular season began.

“[She felt] a little bit of shock that she wasn’t able to come back at the same level,” coach Janice Kruger said.

In late September, Kruger made the decision to switch her star sophomore from outside hitter to the libero position, where Schmelzle would be able to display her versatility without worrying about her weak shoulder.

The libero position is a strictly defensive position, where the player is not allowed to make a play on a ball above the net. Therefore, the player is responsible for digging and passing – essentially the grit, not the glitz.

Libero is an especially important position in Kruger’s system. Because Kruger runs a 6-2 rotation, she must rotate players in and out frequently. However, volleyball sets limits on substitutions, with the exception that a libero may be substituted at any time.

Schmelzle has taken the change in stride and looks at the new position as a new role of leadership.

“As Janice would say, I’m in charge of the back row,” Schmelzle said. “I try to be a leader.”

She had surgery to repair a torn labrum and damaged rotator cuff. She was told it would take nine months for a full recovery, meaning she would have been ready to play by the start of the season.

However, Schmelzle’s hitting wasn’t right in the preseason, and she was having a tough time just practicing with the team.

“In the beginning of preseason, I couldn’t go a full day of swinging,” Schmelzle said.

Because of her shoulder issues, Schmelzle started off the year very frustrated. She said sometimes in practice frustration would set in after hitting a ball weaker than she would have last year. Former high school teammate and current junior outside hitter Beth Gillming understands the frustration but has kept an encouraging tone.

“We just tried to work her through it,” Gillming said. “I can’t imagine how frustrating it would be going from a great freshman season to not having your all.”

Schmelzle is trying to work through it herself. She has noticed an improvement in her stamina and hitting ability, and she expects to eventually return to her freshman form.

The injury did not just affect her shoulder strength, though. Schmelzle must continue strengthening her shoulder while also regaining her confidence and skill set.

“My mechanics aren’t exactly the same as last year,” Schmelzle said. “My offense is a little weaker. Part of it could be mental.”

Kruger believes Schmelzle will be fully recovered by next season. She expects Schmelzle to resume her role as an integral force in both the defense as well as the offense and return to the position of outside hitter. Kruger has seen Schmelzle’s frustrations and is confident that the soft-spoken sophomore will regain her abilities.

“She’s very competitive,” Kruger said. “I’m not sure you’ll run across anybody that’s more competitive than Maggie.”

Contact reporter Adi Joseph at ajosephdbk@gmail.com.