Athlete Interview: Gabby McCaa | Northern Lights 17-1 & Minneapolis Southwest HS

The state of Minnesota is flooded with talent in both the 2018 and 2019 classes. Several athletes have either signed their national letters or have verbally committed, many to some of the nation's elite college programs. Being in Big Ten and Big 12 country with the likes of the Gophers, Wisconsin, the Michigans, Nebraska, the Iowas, it is not that often that we see top talent go further than a few states away. For [player_tooltip player_id="29855" first="Gabby" last="McCaa"], the University of Southern California and the Pac12 have lured her talents west through a verbal commitment to one of the most competitive conferences in the nation and one of the most storied women's volleyball programs around. McCaa has certainly been building an impressive resume worthy of attention from elite programs. As a junior, she is a three-year starter for her varsity team at Minneapolis Southwest High School, a career that already has earned her all-section honors all three years and a Minneapolis City All-Conference selection in 2017. The current club season has been highlighted thus far by a 6-2 record at the 2018 January Thaw in Omaha, NE competing up a division 18 Open. At 6'4 and touching over 10 feet, she creates big challenges for opponents. A few key elements she brings to the court is length, elevation, athleticism, quickness, and an ability to terminate in front and behind the setter. Further, she continues to display steady gains in many facets that indicate a lot of potential to be a major factor as she progresses through her final years as a prep athlete and, more impressively, at the next level. In training and competing for her club team, Northern Lights 17-1, McCaa is surrounded by great talent in her teammates and continues to compete against some of the best programs in the country, all of which will continue to contribute to her rate of improvement and experience. Prep Dig MN caught up with Gabby recently to learn more about her volleyball experience and her path to selecting an incredible opportunity at the next level. Prep Dig MN (PDM): How did you get started in volleyball and at what age? [player_tooltip player_id="29855" first="Gabby" last="McCaa"] (GM): I started playing volleyball at the age of 9 at the local Rec Center in Minneapolis with my friends. My mom played volleyball and my dad played basketball in high school. Both of my parents knew that starting sports early would benefit me in the long run. PDM: Are you involved in any other sports? If so, when did you know that volleyball would be the focus of your future at the next level? GM: Growing up I was involved in many different sports and activities. I played soccer, softball and tennis and I did gymnastics and dance. In middle school my involvement in volleyball increased and I decided to stop playing other sports. In 7th grade I started playing club ball at Northern Lights and in 8th grade I realized that I had the potential to play volleyball at the collegiate level. PDM: What has your club experience been the past few years? Have you been with the same club the whole time? What do you like about your current club situation? GM: I am in my 5th year playing club for Northern Lights Juniors. I love the relationships that I have built throughout my journey. I am grateful for my current and past coaches at NL for the time and effort they have put into helping me develop my skills. At Northern Lights I have had the opportunity to play with great teammates who are now my close friends. I selected Northern Lights because of the high level training, the opportunity to participate in national competitions, and the elite coaching staff. Through their coaching and philosophy, I believe I have grown as a person and a player, enriching my communication skills, competitiveness, confidence and strong work ethic PDM: Compare you high school volleyball and club volleyball experiences. What do you enjoy about both of those settings? GM: Playing for high school volleyball is very different from playing club. In high school, I love playing in games against our rivals when the fans fill the stands. Club is awesome because of the high level of play, the intense competition, and the strong bonds that are developed from playing together for 8 months. PDM: Your club team is loaded with great talent and is poised for a competitive season over the next few months. Describe the general personality of your club team? Are there any teammates that stand out to you in specific ways (i.e. leadership, effort, personality) that you'd like to highlight? GM: To me, all of my teammates stand out. We have a relentless defense and powerful offense. This year my team is blessed with 11 strong, competitive players. Off the court we are all unique individuals but on the court we play as one. We have known each other for many years and come from many different areas and backgrounds. Together we encourage each other to work hard, be leaders and improve every day. As a team we share the same goal - to win a national championship! PDM: What are your current and future goals with the sport of volleyball? GM: I look forward to attending the University of Southern California in 2019. Until then I need to focus on having a successful club and high school season. At USC I would like to positively impact the volleyball program and the university. I also hope to contribute to the promotion of women's volleyball while being a good role model for future players. After college I would like to play at the professional level. PDM: How was the recruiting process for you? Anything that jumps out as being really beneficial to that experience for you? GM: The recruiting process was long yet rewarding. My family and I took our time to get to know as many coaches, programs, and universities as possible. I developed a list of what was most important to me in a volleyball program and a university. This helped me stay organized and made the decision to select SC an easy one. When recruiting became challenging, I tried to remember to trust the process and to have faith that I would commit to the right school. PDM: What is it about USC that attracted you to them, ultimately leading you to commit to them? GM: I immediately fell in love with the beauty of the campus on my first visit. USC is known for their high academic achievements and a strong history of success in athletics. SC alums are known worldwide for excellence in a variety of fields. With regards to the 2019 USC class, I am proud to be part of a strong group and I feel as though we have the potential to greatly impact the future of the Women of Troy. PDM: What are your expectations regarding volleyball at the next (college) level and perhaps competing in the Pac 12? GM: I am expecting a very different style of volleyball. I have heard and observed how different West coast volleyball can be compared to the Midwest. When competing in the Pac 12, I'm anticipating a faster level of play with tougher competition. My expectations are to compete in the NCAA tournament representing USC. I look forward to being part of a strong volleyball community. At USC the fan base is incomparable and the Galen Center is an awesome venue that is filled with passionate and dedicated fans. FAST FIVE QUESTIONS: Do you have any pre-match rituals? Yes, I always listen to motivational music. I'm not sure why I do this but I always put my left sock and shoe on before my right. And lastly, before games, I practice relaxed breathing and visualization to focus me and get me in the right state of mind. Have you thought about what you will study/major in at the college level? I am undecided but I'm considering majors in business or healthcare. Favorite food you can't live without? Potatoes! I love mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, French fries, potato chips, anything and everything potatoes! Favorite volleyball memory/accomplishment? My favorite volleyball memory would be when I traveled to Europe for 10 days with my club team. We celebrated the New Year in Denmark and spent time in Amsterdam touring the city and participating in an international tournament.