Bio

Allison Schnitzer was a four-year starter on the volleyball team that had a record of 133-13 during her career. Allison’s honors include being named a three-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National All-American Second Team selection. Allison led the volleyball team to three NCAA championships with two final eight appearances and a third place finish in 1998. She was an AVCA Regional All-American, a New England Women’s Volleyball Association All-New England player and a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference player each of her four years. Allison’s talents and skills on the volleyball court were recognized in nearly every tournament Wellesley played in, she was a three-time Seven Sisters Tournament MVP; was named to the Hall of Fame All-Tournament Team in 99 and was a two-time MIT invitational All-Tournament selection. Arguably one of the best volleyball players for Wellesley, Allison was also a great student and leader earning College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) District I Academic All-America honors in ’98 and serving as team captain in her final season.

It is a tremendous honor to be included in the inaugural class of the Wellesley Athletics Hall of Fame, and I feel extremely humbled to be recognized by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee for my time at Wellesley as an athlete.

Being from Las Vegas, I had actually never even heard of Wellesley College before the volleyball coach sent me a recruiting letter. I played volleyball in high school and was unsure if I wanted to continue to play sports in college, or if I wanted to focus on my academics. Wellesley offered me the opportunity to do both. On my recruiting trip, I fell in love with Wellesley immediately. I stayed with the volleyball team, and I knew instantly that this was the type of team and type of athletics environment that was right for me.

During the four years (1996–1999) I played, I was exceedingly fortunate to play alongside incredibly talented, dedicated teammates, and to be coached by two smart, passionate coaches—Dorothy Webb and Tom Wilson—who pushed all of us to be the best we could be. Together we had a highly successful run, amassing a record of 133-13, winning multiple tournaments and regional titles, making it to the NCAA Tournament three years in a row, and even making it to the Final Four in 1998. After being badly beaten in the opening match against the eventual National Champions, we came back the next day to play the consolation match and won a tough five-setter that no one expected us to win and took third place in the nation. I think we were the happiest of the teams at the Final Four—we celebrated as if we had won the tournament!

On successful teams, there are often one or two players who are singled out to receive the majority of the awards and recognition, but volleyball is the ultimate team sport, and so I’d like to recognize all of my teammates and share this great honor with them.