Skylar Skinner has a packed schedule as a high-level softball and volleyball player.
On a typical day before a softball game, Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s senior shortstop goes from school to a two-hour softball practice, then immediately to a three-hour club volleyball practice. She’ll arrive there just in time to stretch and get started. After volleyball, she’ll likely take a few cuts in the batting cage before any homework.
She insists she does have time for a social life, though.
“It’s a lot, but I love it. It keeps me locked in and helps me keep my mind straight,” Skinner said. “I get everything in and when I do have those days off, I enjoy them the most that I can.”
Vikings softball coach Corinne Zimmerman said if given the choice, she’ll choose that type of work ethic over talent every time. Without the effort, potential is always just potential.
“It’s beautiful that Sky has both. She has the natural athletic ability, but you can’t go very far with that if you’re not willing to put in the day in, day out,” Zimmerman said. “We all know that even D1 athletes, or dual D1 athletes like Sky, can’t get by on skill alone. You’ve got to be disciplined, do the hard work when people are looking and when they’re not.”
Skinner never missed a session with H-F strength coach Adam Vogel. She encouraged teammates to be there, too, and even made time for the books. She always leads a group of kids at H-F softball youth clinics.
If she can be somewhere or do something to get better, Skinner will be there. It’s why she was voted team captain.
“Every single day, she’s in that weight room and encouraging others to get in that weight room. She’s taking some of the toughest classes in the school and excelling in all aspects,” Zimmerman said. “She’s gonna be a CEO, doctor, whatever she wants because that’s who Skylar is. Whatever she wants, she’ll find a way.”
Leadership is something that comes naturally to Skinner. She leads the dugout cheers and tries to be the first person to pick up a teammate after an error or a tough at bat. Her voice carries weight, as someone who’s had a lot of success in two different sports.
The Vikings have a young roster this season, so that’s important.
“I feel like this is going to be one of the best teams since I’ve been at H-F,” Skinner said. “The vibe is definitely there. The talent is there. The skill is there.”
Skinner was a table-setter last year, getting on base at a .544 clip, partly due to the 14 walks she drew. Zimmerman wants Skinner to be on base just as much this season, though with a less patient approach.
“She’s at the top of the lineup for a reason. She’s going to find a way to get on,” Zimmerman said. “This year, we’re hoping it’s more hits than not, but we expect that same percentage.”
Skinner led the team with 34 runs last year, but the Vikings lost 59 RBIs with just the graduation of Becky Urbaniak and Toni Purchas. So, she hopes to improve her power numbers.
She hit two home runs as a junior. The aim is something closer to seven or eight this year. She’s been getting more lift on the ball during her summer and fall seasons.
“Going into college, I know they need that type of power, and I want to take on that role,” Skinner said. “I definitely want to be more aggressive.”
That’ll happen on the East Coast. Skinner will play both volleyball and softball at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as she studies to be an orthodontist. It was important to find a school that would allow her to do both.
There are a few more months of high school sports left, and Skinner wants to go out with a bang.
“I want to go out with as many dubs as possible and just give it my all,” she said. “I know if I put my all in, I’ll come out satisfied.”