By Rubin E. Grant
The question begged to be asked.
When does Ainsley Schultz find time to sleep, considering her busy schedule of activities?
The Vestavia Hills senior sings in the school’s concert choir, performs in the school’s theater productions, is a part of the school’s Vestavia News Network broadcasting team and is a member of the National Honor Society.
If all that wasn’t enough, Schultz is regarded as one of the top senior volleyball players in the state.
“She’s amazing,” Vestavia Hills volleyball coach Mandy Burgess said. “She’s a go-getter.”
So when does Schultz sleep?
“I get to bed late at night, around 11 or 11:30,” Schultz said. “I get about six or seven hours of sleep a night.”
Apparently, that’s enough rest to keep her going.
Being active is just a part of who Schultz is. She grew up performing in the Red Mountain Theatre Company along with her older sister Allowyn Schultz. She has always sung in a choir and her parents insisted she take piano lessons when she was younger.
Because of volleyball, Schultz won’t get to perform in Vestavia Hills’ first semester drama production “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” but she will perform in the school’s spring musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Doing all she does requires a spirited, energetic personality, and Schultz has that in abundance. Her motor is always revving at a fevered pitch.
“I’ve always been loud, on the court and in life,” she said with a laugh. “Twenty-four/seven, I’m humming or singing tunes. Sometimes, my teammates yell at me, ‘Ainsley, please be quiet!’”
Burgess enjoys being around Schultz – even if she is loud.
“She doesn’t take herself too seriously,” Burgess said. “She’s always positive. She has a heart of gold and she’ll do anything for anybody. She’s smart, funny, beautiful and athletic.”
Versatile Athlete
On the volleyball court, Schultz is a versatile player for the Rebels. She is a three-year starter at setter but can also play right-side hitter.
“There’s nothing she can’t do,” Burgess said. “She has done everything for us the last three years. She has led us or is second in kills, blocks and aces, and she’s always led us in assists.
“We rely on her so much and she does a good job of handling it and thriving under the circumstances. She works hard to do what’s best for the team. She’s a coach’s dream. She gives you 100% every day.”
Schultz grew up playing soccer, basketball and volleyball. By the time she reached middle school, she played basketball and volleyball, but after the eighth grade she decided to focus solely on volleyball.
“I love volleyball a lot more,” Schultz said.
Schultz also plays for the NASA South Volleyball Club and will play in college at the University of West Georgia.
“It was a long, hard recruiting process that took two to three years,” she said. “This past March I was playing in a club tournament and they saw me and told me I would be a perfect setter for their team.”
Schultz visited the school, got to practice with the players on the team and later committed. “It’s the perfect fit for me,” she said.
During her junior season for Vestavia Hills, Schultz recorded 232 kills, 573 assists, 183 digs, 44 aces and 44 blocks. This season as the Rebels entered this week with a 7-5 record, she had tallied 149 assists, 74 digs, 59 kills, 22 aces and four blocks.
Schultz’s goal for her senior season is to get to the state tournament, something the Rebels haven’t done since 2012. Vestavia Hills didn’t advance past the area tournament in 2018 as Class 7A, Area 6 rivals Mountain Brook and Spain Park reached the super-regional tournament.
“I want to enjoy this season and have a great time, but we want to work hard to go to the state tournament,” Schultz said. “We’re going to leave everything on the court.”
