Anna Schoener considers the most difficult obstacle she has had to overcome to is the loss of her mother early in her life, but it certainly is not the only one over which she has prevailed.

Schoener, a senior setter for Sacramento State’s volleyball team, was also forced to live the athletic nightmare of two separate injuries. But her story does not end there.

Add in the stress of academia and maintaining a 23-year-old’s social calendar, and that might provide an idea of what it’s like to walk in her shoes.

Schoener’s story begins with the unexpected death of her mother at an early age. Barbara Schoener was out for a run in the Auburn Lake Trails area in April of 1994 when she was attacked by a mountain lion.

Barbara’s Schoener’s death was the state’s first mountain lion-related fatality in nearly a century. She left behind her children, Anna and Andrew, as well as her husband Pete.

“My mom passing away when I was 5 was easily the hardest obstacle for me … But perseverance is just part of who I am,” Schoener said through a warm grin. “(I learned that) no matter what happens to me, I’m going to be OK. Life goes on.”

Schoener talked about growing up in an all-male household with her older brother and her father. From an early age, she learned being the only girl was tough.

“It wasn’t like I was going to try and bring her back, or try to replace her. I had to (think), it’s just the three of us, and that’s just how it’s gonna be,” Schoener said.

Anna Schoener’s father Pete Schoener said he sees Barbara’s personality in Anna.

“Anna is very much like her mother,” Pete Schoener said. “She was so warm and friendly and loved to help people, Anna is just like that. Her smile and personality are just like Barbara’s. But she hates to lose. As friendly as she is, she loves to compete.”

For Schoener, the stress of recovering from athletic injuries along with balancing a college social life, maintaining a 3.0 grade point average or higher and handling a personal tragedy is considered normal.

At every hurdle, instead of calling it quits, she set her sights back on the hardwood of the volleyball court.

Schoener’s first injury was in her sophomore year. She was forced to sit out the season in order to recover from a torn labrum. When she returned healthy her junior year in 2009 she set a career-high of 10 kills her first match back.

Then, in an unfortunate turn of events, Schoener was injured – again.

During a routine practice drill, she dove for a ball, tore her ACL and was forced to sit out during her recovery.

“The second injury was really hard,” Schoener said. “It was like, ‘I just did this. I just sat out. Am I really doing this again?”

Volleyball head coach Ruben Volta said it’s Schoener’s determination while recovering from the injury that sets her apart.

“Her recovery wasn’t easy,” Volta said. “She really was determined to get healthy again and play again. She worked really hard at rehab and was in training room everyday. I remember feeling heartbroken for her. I remember asking if this was something she still wanted to do and she was determined. she said ‘Yes! I’m coming back.’”

When Schoener returned to the team from her injuries, however, she still could not use the full range of motion in her arm. But instead of quitting, Volta decided to switch her position from opposite hitter to setter.

“She really kind of surprised me when they asked her to set. She had never set in her life, but she said it was what she wanted to do,” Pete Schoener said. “I am amazed at how well she’s done, I am so proud.”

Anna Schoener, still recovering from a torn shoulder, switched positions her senior year and began training in the setter position for the first time in her athletic career. She became one of two setters for the Hornets and last season played in 32 matches averaging .51 kills per game and had double digits in assists for points in all but one match.

“It was hard. Setting is just a completely different game,” Schoener said. “I was used to attacking and scoring the points, now I’m the one giving up the ball. It was a struggle because I want to attack the ball, and I just didn’t realize how much that was a part of my game until I didn’t do it any more.”

Schoener, now a graduate student, is furthering her education in religious studies and hoping to work for a nonprofit organization after she finishes at Sac State this year.

“I like the nonprofit sector. I like the people. I like that it’s a team-like business and that we work together,” she said.

Until she starts her career, Schoener’s focus remains on the volleyball court. She, along with the rest of the volleyball team, said she has her sights set on winning the Big Sky Conference Championship. In addition to her hopes for championship status for the team, Schoener is aiming for her first college-level 4.0 GPA.

Schoener expressed her excitement about sharing her experiences with her team her last semester at Sac State and that there are lessons both on and off the court she will take with her.

“The way we handle situations is a decision, some situations are great and some are not so great. It sucks if they are not so great but life goes on. I am so grateful for where I am, for being here six years,” said Schoener. “But the challenges I have faced in the last six years, and in my entire life have like shaped who I am, and I think I’m alright. Just don’t ever think, ‘Poor Anna.’”

Brittany Bradley can be reached at [email protected]