Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
PORTSMOUTH — For quite some time now, Cassie Schaefer’s name has been synonymous with athletic success at Notre Dame High School.
The senior has excelled on the volleyball and basketball courts, as well as the softball diamond where she’s won multiple All-Ohio honors.
CREDIT: Jenny Campbell/SOSA
This past week, Schaefer was recognized for yet another benchmark accomplishment after passing out her 2,000th career assist — becoming the first in school history to do so.
“It means the world to me knowing that I have surpassed the 2,000 assist mark. It felt awesome, especially since I am the first one in my school’s history to do so,” Schaefer said. “It’s an honor to have been able to achieve this, and it’s a feeling that I will never forget. I obviously couldn’t have done this without the work of all of my coaches, and my team’s passing and kills, so I want to give them a huge shout out.”
Schaefer knew the milestone was coming. She entered this season with 1,529 career assists and, with the way the Titans win ballgames, 2,000 was imminent.
But no matter the number, her focus has always centered around her teammates.
“When I got to high school, I never dreamed of getting 2,000 assists, let alone 1,000. I was truly blessed enough when I got my 1,000th, so I just told myself that if I kept doing my best and working as hard as I could, then my 2,000th would come,” Schaefer said. “However, as a player and teammate, I try not to get all caught up in numbers, I just play and try to do whatever is best for the team.”
Schaefer’s career numbers now stand at 2,041 assists, coupled with 467 digs, 156 aces and 55 blocks. She’s aided the Titans to an 18-3 overall record this year and an outright Southern Ohio Conference I title.
Notre Dame is a top seed in the Division IV Southeast District Tournament, where it awaits the winner of Paint Valley and Whiteoak in a sectional final on Oct. 17.
The group will attempt to make yet another notable postseason run after reaching the regional final last fall.
“This year, our team, in my opinion, is the scrappiest we have been in my years of playing. We’ve had many girls step up in replacing the seniors we lost last year, along with five returning varsity veterans,” Schaefer said. “We have battled a few small injuries, but we have worked through them all and are ready for the tournament to start. Our team plays our best and has the best chemistry when we are having fun, so during our tournament run, that’s what we are going to focus on. I know we have the talent and the abilities to make it right back to where we were last year, and there’s nothing more I would want for my senior year.”
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