MILBANK – Whether playing on the volleyball court or playing in an orchestra, Rachel Schulte always manages to hit a high note.

The senior from Milbank is having a banner season for the Bulldogs in volleyball, and just finished performing as a violinist at the all-state orchestra concert in Rapid City this past weekend.

Schulte was able to record the rare career accomplishment of 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs this season. What those totals mean is that Schulte seldom leaves the floor for the Bulldogs.

“Actually, I do not like going on the bench,” Schulte said. “I like to just be on the court and being involved.”

This season Schulte has been even more involved than normal. The four-year starter received some experience as a setter during her freshman season. When a need arose this season, Schulte helped to fill the role and has 358 set assists to her credit.

“We needed another setter and we knew I had setter experience,” Schulte said. “We could kind of see that when I was playing, that I could set, so we tried it out and it started going good, so now I’m also setting this year.”

Schulte also has 96 career ace serves. In short, there’s really nothing she can’t do.

“Rachel plays all the way around with her high level of skill at attacking, blocking, setting, and defense,” said Milbank Area coach Nancy Hoeke. “Her explosive jumping ability helps her be a very effective hitter. The team’s captain is also a scrappy defensive player.”

And to think, Schulte never really wanted to be a volleyball player.

Her mother is really into music, but also wanted her daughter involved in a sport.

“I didn’t even really want to play volleyball until my mom signed me up in seventh grade,” Schulte said. “I was so mad when she signed me up, but now I’m so thankful that she did.”

Through the years Schulte has grown as a player from “this shy girl that was scared to mess up” as a freshman to an important team leader as a senior.

Along the way, Schulte has also refined her musical skills that has allowed her gain a small bit of bragging rights on her twin brother, Joseph, who also plays violin in addition to playing basketball for the Bulldogs.

“In middle school he beat me at all-state orchestra by one point for first chair. That really annoyed me,” Schulte said.

She has since gained a small edge on her sibling.

“In high school orchestra I have always gotten a better chair than him, even though we are definitely the same ability,” she said. “I just maybe had a better audition or something.”

Schulte said there are certain traits that carry over from music to sports, especially the discipline of working hard.

“Violin is an instrument that takes so much work and so much practice to get things perfect,” Schulte said. “Going into the gym for volleyball practice, I love doing reps of things. I just want rep after rep and I just want it to be perfect.”

Schulte said there is a feeling of satisfaction whether she does well in music or in volleyball, but that they are much different in nature.

“When I’m done with a song and I played it good, it’s like a feeling of relief,” Schulte said. “When I hit a really good kill and it’s like straight down to the floor, it kind of just fires me up and I want to keep going.”

Schulte definitely wants her senior volleyball campaign to keep going. She said she is not ready to think about playing in her final match.

The Bulldogs have not been to a state tourney in Schulte’s four years on varsity and she is on a mission to change that.

“When I’ve been in high school, we’ve never made it to the sweet 16. We’ve always lost in the second round of regions,” Schulte said. “I’m hoping this is the year.”

Schulte, who credited her teammates for all that she has been able to accomplish on the volleyball court, believes the Bulldogs have a solid chance to make a serious postseason run.

“We definitely have a huge shot to make it to the state tournament this year, just because our team works so well together,” Schulte said. “We have so much talent this year.”

Schulte has already experienced the biggest stage for high school musicians and now just wants one chance to experience that stage for volleyball.

Whether it’s tonight in the opening round of the Region 1A tourney against Webster at Aberdeen Roncalli or at the state tournament next month in Rapid City or somewhere in between, Schulte knows that her final match is closing in.

“No matter when it is,” Schulte said, “it’s going to be hard for me to be done.”

Schulte and her Bulldog teammates are ready for the pressure-filled journey that lies ahead which will take place in packed gyms the rest of the way.

“I love when the crowd’s going wild and they’re all getting into the game and they’re so excited,” Schulte said. “I think we thrive on that, actually. It makes us play probably better.”