Life’s a beach for Westlake volleyball duo

In the sand or on the hardwood, best friends love to play the game


Casey Levitt

Casey Levitt

Casey Levitt and Hannah Schuett met while playing on the same U-10 American Youth Soccer Association team, the Hot Shots.

Now Levitt and Schuett are starters for the Westlake High girls’ volleyball team.

The good friends are also partners on the summer beach volleyball circuit.

“We work well together,” Schuett said. “We know each other so well and we communicate well.”

For the past three summers, the friends have played beach volleyball together nearly every weekend through the California Beach Volleyball Association and Club Beach organizations.

They’re so comfortable with each other that they’re volleyball’s version of actors Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.

Levitt said Schuett is outgoing and has a sarcastic sense of humor. Schuett said Levitt is fun to be around.

“We get along really well,” said Levitt, 16. “We make fun of each other and joke around. We can get a little frustrated, but we never yell and scream at each other. We’re just positive.”

Levitt, a senior-to-be, is an outside hitter. The 15-year-old Schuett, who started at opposite last season, will be a junior setter this fall.

Westlake head coach Ernest Rittenhouse said the teammates are vital to the Warriors’ success.

“They’re both really hard workers and really talented players,” the fifth-year coach said.

“I think they’re both impressive young ladies. They work hard at the sport. To them, it’s not working hard. To them, it’s fun.”

Playing on the beach has helped the Warriors hone their respective skills, especially ball control. Their next beach tournament is Tues., Aug. 18 at Santa Barbara.

Levitt said playing on the sand helps her during the season.

“It gets you moving faster,” she said. “Your reaction time is faster.”

Schuett said communication “is crucial on the beach.”

“You have to play every position on the beach,” the setter said.

“You definitely get better awareness of your surroundings. You have to work harder on the beach . . . and that transfers over to the court.”

Levitt’s strengths are passing and digging, Rittenhouse said.

Schuett distributes accurate passes to Westlake’s hitters, the coach said.

The players are looking forward to Westlake’s regular season, which begins Sept. 10 against Beverly Hills at home

“We’re really young. I’m looking forward to building up the program with everybody,” Levitt said. “I’m hoping we improve because a lot of our girls are training during our break.”

Schuett said the key for Westlake is to run a quick-hitting offense while playing strong defense.

“My main goal is for us to make the playoffs,” Schuett said.

The friends started playing volleyball together at Colina Middle School. They also play with the Santa Monica Beach Club volleyball squad in the offseason.

Levitt, who played soccer her freshman and sophomore seasons, enjoys the teamwork involved with volleyball.

“More than one person has a chance to make a play with the ball,” she said. “I like building team chemistry.”

Schuett, who considers herself a strong all-around athlete, wants to compete with the track and field team next spring.

The junior-to-be also enjoys coaching volleyball.

When she’s not playing or practicing with the Warriors during the season, fans can expect to see Schuett assist the girls’ volleyball team at Colina.

The setter also helps coach her 11-year-old brother Everett’s team, the Beachbones Volleyball Club based in the Conejo Valley.

“I love sports in general, but volleyball is my favorite because of the competition,” said Schuett, whose twin sister, Emma, played two years on the WHS freshmansophomore squad.

“I can play the sport for hours and hours and I never get tired,” she said.

Levitt and Schuett have earned the respect of their peers and coaches with their work ethic and passion for volleyball.

“They play year-round, so they have to travel a lot,” Rittenhouse said.

“They dedicate a lot of time to playing the sport, and it pays off with their hard work. It’s impressive to see that in young players. It’s fun to have them as a coach.”

Hannah Schuett

Hannah Schuett

FUN IN THE SUN—Casey Levitt, right, bumps the ball to Hannah Schuett while playing in the Club Beach Tournament at Long Beach.

FUN IN THE SUN—Casey Levitt, right, bumps the ball to Hannah Schuett while playing in the Club Beach Tournament at Long Beach.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *