Some athletes are born to play. Junior Courtney Schneck is one such athlete.”There are pictures of me in diapers with lacrosse sticks said Schneck. I played organized lacrosse starting in third or fourth grade.”A native of West Islip N.Y. Schneck20 grew up loving lacrosse. Now she’s a key player on Pepperdine’s women’s lacrosse team.”I’ve been playing my entire life. My dad played lacrosse so I grew up with it stated Schneck. I’ve spent all my weekends in high school and middle school all summers spent playing literally 24/7. Lacrosse is a sport I focused on and spent all my time and energy on.”While Schneck has spent much of her time and energy focusing on lacrosse her life off the field is focused on her other love: spending time with family and friends. “I love just being around my friends family time…I love social settings whether it’s just hanging out in the back yard said Schneck. Happy times but simple times.”Schneck enjoys the simple aspects of life off the field but her life on the field is entirely different.”On the field I love how fast everything is and there is never a dull moment when you’re playing. It’s always go go go go go she said. You’re not just standing around waiting.”Not one to stand and wait around while on the field and no stranger to hard work it is no wonder that Schneck 2009 Western Women’s Lacrosse League division one first team all-league has become a force on the Pepperdine lacrosse field.However choosing to come to Pepperdine was not necessarily an easy decision.”When I was looking at schools there were two choices that I had to make stated Schneck. To play or not to play in division or play in the excellent club-sport league at Pepperdine.Ultimately, Schneck chose to attend Pepperdine and not play lacrosse in a college D1 or D2 division.It was definitely a hard decision. Even after I made it I went back and forth she said. I didn’t know if I wanted to devote all that time into something that ultimately I wasn’t going to go anywhere with.”While choosing to attend Pepperdine was not an initially easy decision the high level of play skill and drive she has added to the Pepperdine team has been invaluable.”She is the quiet leader on the team stated close friend and teammate Jessica Henritze-Hoye. She inspires the team with her actions and by playing hard. We always know we can look to Court if we need some goals fast.”Lacrosse is a physically demanding and fast-paced sport that requires effective teamwork in order to be successful.”You definitely need to be a team player. Teamwork is the most important part of lacrosse. If you can’t work together as a unit the team will never get far said Schneck. It is one of those sports that if you think you can take it up the field every single time by yourself you can’t. You need to be able to work together as a unit and realize you can’t do it by yourself.”In addition to playing and working as a team on the field it is important for team members to operate as a unit off the field yet another aspect of the game at which Schneck a center midfield player excels.”I absolutely love my teammates she said. We might not be the best team in our league but there are no other girls I would rather play with. We have fun both on and off the field.”Henritze-Hoye added: “Courtney is a ton of fun…she is always telling stories and always outgoing to everyone. She is always encouraging of others and never gets down on her team or herself.”Schneck has created lasting relationships and friendships with her teammates at Pepperdine through her positive and outgoing demeanor. “The girls have been really inspiring she said. I’ve been playing for such a long time but there are girls that are seniors and have never played until their freshman year of college and they’re amazing players! They’ve become legit lacrosse players in such a short amount of time.”The success and growth of the team is due in large part to Coach Kate Hicks.”Coach Kate is an amazing coach said Schneck. I have never had a coach that I respect as much as I respect her. To have somebody who has played the sport and knows everything that you’re going through has been such a blessing. I could not ask for a better coach.”Schneck was born to play lacrosse and through hard work and dedication to the sport she has become an exceptional athlete a leader for her team and a constant voice of encouragement for her teammates. And unlike some athletes she has maintained her passion and love for her sport.”I’m just as much in love with the game as I ever have been stated Schneck. I’m lucky for that.”