Gibbons gained confidence on the court
From seeing limited time on the court as a high school freshman to a West Virginia University recruit, that鈥檚 the journey for Waynesburg Central senior setter Abby Gibbons.
And throughout her journey on the volleyball court, confidence in her abilities is what has set her apart.
鈥淢y mental confidence was lacking my freshman year and early sophomore year,鈥� Gibbons said. 鈥淏ut in that second year, an opportunity came around where my coach needed me to set in one of our early tournaments. I had never played in the setting role before that tournament, but I took on the role my coach gave me. I ended up becoming the varsity setter for the rest of the season.鈥�
That role change and getting more time on the court continued her growth as a player.
鈥淔rom having little playing time as a freshman to running an offense my sophomore year was a bit of a transition, to say the least,鈥� Gibbons expressed. 鈥淏ut it forced me to learn quickly and grow mentally. When you start at the bottom, you need to take advantage of every small opportunity you get and run with it.鈥�
For her biggest improvement from her freshman year to now, Gibbons points out to her understanding of the game.
鈥淐oming from that supporting bench role as a freshman to a senior leading the team, I can appreciate the value of every role and of the work every single teammate puts in,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat has been one of my biggest lessons and personal revelations. This new perspective has allowed me to improve as a player, but more importantly as a person.鈥�
The setter position is like a quarterback in football or a point guard in basketball because the offense runs through them and the success of the team often times hinges on that one player.
鈥淎s a setter in high school, my approach to the game is to give my teammates the best ball I can give them with the pass that is given to me,鈥� Gibbons explained. 鈥淚 tell my teammates before each game what my expectations are. What I try to accomplish as a setter is making sure our team stays together, we work as a single unit and that we are all on the same page throughout the game.鈥�
Gibbons was one of the major driving forces for the Lady Raiders in 2016, as Waynesburg claimed their first-ever section title with an 11-1 mark in Section 3-AA.
The Lady Raiders, who compiled a 14-3 overall record, ended the regular season with 13 straight wins before losing to Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.
鈥淧eople didn鈥檛 think we were capable of reaching those accomplishments we did that year after having six seniors graduate,鈥� Gibbons pointed out. 鈥淲e all had the fire to prove everyone wrong, and we had that fire since the first day of practice. We wouldn鈥檛 settle for anything less than the section title. As a team, we had this unsaid feeling that we knew this season was going to be one to remember.鈥�
During her junior season, Gibbons committed to WVU and said that there were a ton of reasons why she wanted to be a Mountaineer.
鈥淚 chose WVU because I wanted high competition with a lot of opportunities for academics and athletics,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ne thing the coaches at WVU tell their players is to get one percent better every day. What that says to me as a recruit is to focus on the little things and trust the process. I鈥檝e been applying it to my development as a student, a volleyball player and a person.
鈥淎cademically, I wanted to pick a school with a variety of majors because even now I鈥檓 not sure what I want to do. From an athletics standpoint, I was set on playing high level volleyball. Being recruited as a back row player, I鈥檒l be given the opportunity to go up against those big time hitters and servers. The Big 12 (Conference) will give me that competition.鈥�
But before she heads out to Morgantown next fall, Gibbons is focused on the 2017 season with the Lady Raiders.
鈥淥ur main goal is to repeat as section champions, no doubt,鈥� Gibbons stated. 鈥淲e won鈥檛 settle for less. Our other goal this year is to win the WPIAL. We will accomplish this if we stay focused, work together and work hard.鈥�
To some that might be a lofty goal, but with confidence, Gibbons has proven she and the Lady Raiders can achieve anything they set their minds too on the volleyball court.