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Kaliko Schilling & Olivia Stringer 2025

Women's Volleyball

Stringer and Schilling making most of new life, responsibilities with No. 9 Buccaneers

As six-rotation players, the sophomore outside hitters have combined for 832 kills this season

Women's Volleyball

Stringer and Schilling making most of new life, responsibilities with No. 9 Buccaneers

As six-rotation players, the sophomore outside hitters have combined for 832 kills this season

When Olivia Stringer and Kaliko Schilling decided to take responsibility for their volleyball journeys, what they found was exactly what they needed: More responsibility.

Now, as Blinn College's six-rotation workhorses, the sophomore hitters have injected new life into their collegiate careers while leading the Buccaneers on a rewarding voyage of their own.

Just one year ago, both Stringer – a Lake Jackson, Texas, native – and Schilling – of Honolulu, Hawaii – were treading aimlessly with their former teams. 

Olivia Stringer 2025
Blinn sophomore hitter Olivia Stringer spikes the ball over the net during a match against Wharton County on Sept. 23, 2025

Used sparingly as an outside hitter at NCAA Division I program Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Stringer played in just seven sets across eight matches during her freshman season in 2024 and found her love for the game dwindling by season's end.

"I wasn't sure I was going to keep playing, and I wasn't sure what was next," Stringer said. "All I knew was that I was losing my love for volleyball and that a change was needed."

Elsewhere, having already labored through an injury-dampened season at Division I Coppin State University in 2023, Schilling absorbed a medical redshirt season at Weatherford College last season before realizing one final change could be best for her future.

"I played through a season at Coppin State where I was hurting and primarily used as a serving sub, so didn't get a lot of opportunities on the court," Schilling recalled. "Then I took the redshirt season at Weatherford, and by the end of it, I saw the writing on the wall that playing time wasn't going to be there when I recovered. So, I took one last chance on myself."

Kaliko Schilling 2025
Blinn sophomore hitter Kaliko Schilling receives a serve during a match against Trinity Valley on Sept. 10, 2025

Stringer transferred to Blinn in the spring 2025 as a member of former head coach Terry Gamble's final recruiting efforts. When Gamble departed in late spring, Whitis soon arrived, and Stringer said the decision to buy into her new head coach's vision for the program was easy.

"The tradition and history of success Blinn has isn't a secret, and that's what brought me here," Stringer said, "but what sold me was Gregg's confidence in this team and belief in how I could help elevate the high bar that was already established here."

Because the team was largely constructed before his arrival, Whitis had a small number of spots to fill before his first season began, and plugging one with the addition of Schilling was at the top of his priority list.

"Every phone call we had, his confidence in me, my skills, and the program was evident," Schilling explained. "Gregg constantly mentioned names of the great players already on the team, and he mentioned Olivia and what he felt we could do in his offense, and that made it easy to buy in."

For Stringer and Schilling, committing to Whitis' vision meant accepting a level of responsibility previously foreign to both players.

Olivia Stringer 2025
Blinn sophomore hitter Olivia Stringer attempts a block during a match against Eastern Wyoming on Aug. 28, 2025

With a coaching background rich with NCAA runs at programs such as Tennessee, Michigan, Clemson, Arizona, and New Mexico State, Whitis saw a common theme among elite teams: six-rotation athletes.

"When you are playing six rotations on the left side, you have responsibilities as a server, a passer, a blocker, and defender in middle-back," Whitis explained. "You have to be able to hit the ball out of the pipe, you have to be able to hit in- and out-of-system stuff on the left. A six-rotation, left-side player — that is the unicorn that every program at every level is looking for."

With Whitis asking more of them than ever, Stringer and Schilling are thriving.

Stringer is enjoying a breakout season that has led to Region 14 Newcomer of the Year honors and a first-team all-region selection. Her 505 kills are second among all hitters in NJCAA Division I, while her 350 digs lead her team. She has also tallied 45 total blocks and 38 service aces.

Meanwhile, Schilling has found her footing with 327 kills and 272 digs (both second only to Stringer) to go with a team-leading 77 service aces. She also has produced 40 blocks.

"You're doing so much more as a six-rotation player, and it's tough and it's challenging, but if you love to compete, you should want to be out there as much as possible," Schilling said. "You should want that responsibility. I know Olivia and I wouldn't be in this position if we couldn't handle it or if coach didn't believe in us."

Kaliko Schilling 2025
Blinn sophomore hitter Kaliko Schilling spikes the ball over the net during a match against Tyler on Nov. 8, 2025

Behind their dynamic hitting duo, the Bucs are in the midst of a 37-3 season and will open play in their sixth consecutive NJCAA Division I Volleyball Championship tournament appearance Wednesday in Clarksville, Tenn.

Multiple NCAA programs have also come calling, looking for their unicorns.

"Coach Whitis and Blinn have completely turned things around for me – I have absolutely no doubt about that," Stringer said. "I don't think I would have found my love for volleyball again if I hadn't landed here."

Added Schilling: "Coach Gregg, this team, and this season have made the game fun again and have opened up so many possibilities for my future. I honestly don't know where I'd be right now without Blinn."

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 53 national championships since 1987.
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Players Mentioned

Olivia Stringer

#4 Olivia Stringer

OH
6' 0"
Sophomore
Kaliko Schilling

#9 Kaliko Schilling

OH
6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Olivia Stringer

#4 Olivia Stringer

6' 0"
Sophomore
OH
Kaliko Schilling

#9 Kaliko Schilling

6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
OH