LONG BEACH STATE NOTEBOOK / JASON REID : Schwerm Moves Into Lead Role

They surrounded her, literally and figuratively, for 100 matches, countless practices and daily gut-checks. No matter where Brita Schwerm stood on her side of the net, someone better, someone wiser, stood next to her.

And when those defining moments approached, as the Long Beach State women’s volleyball battled for more championships that she can remember, Schwerm didn’t have to take over. Someone else was expected to.

Now, that comfort zone is gone.

All the players she watched and learned from for the last three years, they’re gone. Schwerm remains, finishing her success-filled career in a new role: team leader.

“It’s the most frustrating yet exciting position to be in,” Schwerm said. “I’m frustrated sometimes because I don’t have another senior to look to when it gets tough on the court.

“But I’m also excited to see the younger players improve. It’s good to see them support me and the older players, and it feels good [to help] bring this team together.”

Talk about role reversal. It wasn’t too long ago Schwerm was one of the followers. In fact, it was last season.

Having All-American teammates such as Danielle Scott and Nichelle Burton meant Schwerm’s time to shine would occur later than sooner. Scott and Burton had the leadership thing wrapped up, and deservedly so.

Not that the Schwerm hasn’t had a fine career. The senior outside hitter from Monte Sereno is a multiple award winner.

There was that selection to the Big West Conference freshman team, followed by selection to the All-Big West second-team as a sophomore. She made the first-team last season.

But her final season brings a new list of duties, including that of team captain. It’s high-pressure on-the-job training, she said.

Schwerm has responded well. She leads the team with 183 kills for an average of 4.46 per game, a personal high. She is second in the Big West in kill average and was chosen the conference’s player of the week Sept. 11.

And being looked to as an example has suited Schwerm just fine, thank you. She’s implementing her style on the fly, but so what? Schwerm is going with what works for her.

“My style is probably a little different [from recent captains],” she said. “I try and take what I see from the players and then talk to them about how they feel. Then, I try and deal with things on a player level.

“I talk to [Coach] Brian [Gimmillaro] about the team in general and how they’re feeling. But I like to interact more with the players than [doing so] through the coaches.”

Long Beach (10-2, 6-1 in the Big West) is ranked sixth by Volleyball Monthly and ninth USA Today despite relying heavily on freshmen and sophomores. Guess one reason why.

“I think I’m playing pretty well,” Schwerm said. “I feel a lot of pressure to score but, then again, I feel I’m also skilled enough to take the pressure.

“It can be tough I guess. But to be a mature player you just have to let those kind of things work themselves out.”

Schwerm is sometimes compelled to do it all because the 49ers have been hit hard by injuries this season.

“I’m trying to be everywhere but be one person at the same time,” she said. “I want to cover everyone’s ground but I have to cover my own ground.

“It kind of hurts my game a little bit to make sure everyone is taken care of. I need to trust the younger people more.”

That’s what Gimmillaro keeps telling her. He said it appears to be sinking in.

“Up until the injuries I thought she was playing exceptionally well in her new role,” Gimmillaro said. “Now, she is trying to do too much. You can only do what is in your area of responsibility.”