Killin' it: Auburn volleyball's Madison Scheer reaches milestone

AUBURN, Ala. – In the split second it takes Auburn’s setters to direct the volleyball to Madison Scheer, the junior outside hitter processes information, plots her attack and proceeds with ferocity.

How opponents are blocking, what Auburn’s scouting report reveals about Maddie’s best kill options, be it the seam between blockers or hitting lines. That’s when Auburn’s in system. Out of system, Scheer converts high balls with anything from sharp crosses to tooling the block. 

“It’s a lot,” says Scheer of the fast-paced decisions.

On more than a thousand occasions, the result is a point for the Auburn Tigers. In Auburn’s most recent match, Scheer became the fastest player in program history to record 1,000 career kills.

“A really good feeling,” said Scheer, the 16^th Auburn player to reach the thousand-kill mark and the first since Brenna McIlroy (2015-18). “In tight games, those are always big moments. Getting a kill is a very important part to our offense.”

Scheer, who came to Auburn from the St. Louis suburb of Eureka, Missouri, has delivered consistent excellence for the Tigers, earning SEC All-Freshman honors in 2022 and All-SEC recognition in 2023. This season, she’s reached double-digit kills in 13 consecutive matches.

“Auburn is a really special place,” Scheer said. “I’ve loved every second being here. My teammates are amazing. The coaching staff has helped me grow, not only skill-wise but as a person. It goes to show how important the Auburn family is. I love Auburn a lot. It’s a fun environment.”

Buying into head coach Brent Crouch’s vision for Auburn’s ascent in SEC volleyball, Scheer has helped make it a reality, with the Tigers reaching back-to-back NCAA tournaments and in position for a third straight postseason appearance.

“It’s really special,” she said. “This program is only going to get better. To be part of the rebuilding process has been really cool. As I’ve grown as a player, I’ve gotten better. My attacking this year is so different than last year, it’s gotten a lot better.

“It’s really telling to how our coaching staff is getting this program up. It’s been an honor so far to be on this team. It’s been a really special ride, and I’ve learned a lot through the process.”

If you build it, they will come. The classic line from 1989’s “Field of Dreams” applies to Auburn volleyball. This season in Auburn’s win over Alabama, more than 3,000 fans set the program attendance record. After each home match, Scheer and her teammates conduct clinics for young fans.

“We get to connect with the fans,” Scheer said. “It’s really cool to be a part of. We need to show up for the younger generation. That’s important to us.”

A volunteer coach at Auburn High School, Scheer passes along her knowledge and enthusiasm for volleyball to younger players who look up to her.

“I love being there because it shows how much growth we’ve had as a school,” Scheer said.

After graduating from Auburn University next December following her senior season, Scheer intends to play professionally before pursuing a sports broadcasting career.

With a father working in information technology and a mother In marketing, the 6-foot-1 Scheer plans to tap into their expertise when she eventually develops a clothing line for tall women.

“Kind of have it all with me in the family,” she said.

For three seasons, Madison Scheer has provided poise and power for Auburn volleyball, one kill at a time.  As much as she’s given to the program, Maddie feels like she’s received even more.

“Auburn is a really special place and it’s been an honor and a privilege to be a part of everything,” Scheer said. “It’s only going to get better. We have huge goals for our program.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer