MOON TWP — Rowing just didn't do it for Schaely Renfrew.

The Knoch graduate had played volleyball for most of her life, but decided to step away from the game as she began college at Robert Morris University last year.

“I felt my time on the volleyball court was done,” Renfrew said. “It wasn't very long, maybe a month or two, and I started to miss it.”

Renfrew tried to fill that void by joining the rowing team for the Colonials.

She quickly discovered, however, that life in a boat didn't ignite her passion in the same way as life on the court.

“I'm glad I tried it,” Renfrew said. “It was a great opportunity, but I really wanted to play volleyball again.”

Renfrew thought that door was long closed at Division I Robert Morris, but she approached Colonials' volleyball coach Dale Starr anyway in the hopes of landing a spot on the team in some capacity, even if it was just as a team manager.

As it turned out, Starr's team had been hit hard by graduation losses and injuries and he had just six healthy bodies going into the spring semester.

And Renfrew got her chance.

“It was kind of a perfect storm for Schaely,” Starr said. “She approached me and said, 'I really miss playing. Is there any way I can be part of the team?' I told her I'd do one better. I'd give her the entire spring to come in and prove herself.”

Renfrew not only proved herself, but she made the team — the first time in 18 years of coaching (six at Robert Morris) that Starr had a walk-on make his team after joining it the spring semester.

“I think my previous record time of someone lasting was one week,” Starr said. “Usually they see what it is all about and how tough and demanding it is and they say, 'No, this isn't what I expected' and quit. Schaely kept fighting, kept battling. To her credit, she kept coming back. That's a tribute to her work ethic. She's very unique.”

Renfrew admitted it was unlike anything she had experienced before. But she felt as though she were given a second chance to play volleyball and she wasn't about to throw that away.

“It was definitely a challenge for me to get used to the pace and the talent,” Renfrew said. “It took a little bit of time to get comfortable with that because it is, obviously, much different that anything I had ever seen or played before.”

Still, at the end of the spring, Renfrew was unsure if she had a place on the team.

“I didn't know where I stood with Coach Starr — it was a tough couple of weeks,” Renfrew said. “Then on the last practice of the spring he told me I made the team. I worked my butt off in every practice and he told me I had a Division I work ethic.

“I never even imagined it,” Renfrew added. “I stuck with it and finding out I had made it was surreal.”

Renfrew was a standout at the net for Knoch, teaming with all-state performer Celina Sanks to help Knoch reach the WPIAL playoffs as a senior.

But at 5-foot-8, Renfrew has had to change positions at the Division I level. No longer a hitter — although she is fourth on the depth chart at outside hitter for the Colonials — Renfrew's role for now will be as a situational defensive specialist for RMU.

Renfrew spent the summer honing those skills at Knoch volleyball open gyms.

“I did a lot of back-row work over the summer,” Renfrew said. “I enjoy the role I play now. It better suits me.”

Renfrew is just giddy to be a part of a volleyball program again.

And Starr is also happy to have her.

“She played a little bit in our opening tournament this past weekend and she did everything we asked of her,” Starr said. “I hope to see her continue to progress.”