Round 1 - 2019 GICC Class C2 Champs will look different in 2020

TEAM: GRAND ISLAND CENTRAL CATHOLIC CRUSADERS CLASS: C2 LOCATION: South Central Nebraska in Hall County NSAA TEAM ENROLLMENT (female, grades 9-11): 58 CONFERENCE: Centennial West COACH: Sharon Zavala We bump to the Hames Regional in the 2020 Nebraska Prep Dig Team Series with a matchup between C2 Grand Island Central Catholic and D2 Wauneta-Palisade in the first round. To hear more about your favorite team, hop over to our Twitter feed @nebhsvolleyball to vote them to the second round until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21! When discussing the Grand Island Central Catholic Crusaders, of course, 45-year coach Sharon Zavala is a big part of the dialogue. With a career record of 1,064-207, Coach Zavala has coached 10 players to the Division 1 level with players at Wisconsin, KState, UNL, Marquette, UNO, or Creighton University As the tradition continued, the 2019 team, with a record of 28-5, won the Class C2 State Championship with, per Coach Zavala, “7 great seniors - good underclassmen to go with them and talented assistant coaches to help these kids with skills and improvement. Very cohesive group.” In the championship, the Crusaders met Centennial Conference foe Hastings St. Cecelia. After losing to the Hawkettes three times during the season, the Crusaders came out on top with a sweep. The Crusaders teeter between Class C1 and C2 each year and compete at a high level in both. Regardless of the class, fans can expect to see GICC at the state tournament in the fall. Coach Zavala on team activities, “not to my knowledge - we are social distancing! Grand Island is a hot spot for the virus.” If you are missing Coach Zavala during quarantine, be sure to check out <a href="https://terrypettit.com/coaching-high-school-volleyball-with-sharon-zavala-and-bill-root-itcm003/">THIS PODCAST - INSIDE THE COACHING MIND WITH TERRY PETTIT</a> featuring Coach Zavala and newly retired Grand Island Senior High coach Bill Root. Returning Letter Winners: ⇒[player_tooltip player_id="59214" first="Gracie" last="Woods"] | 2023 | 6’ Outside | UNCOMMITTED AND LOOKING! <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CMK38">HUDL Highlights </a>Club: Nebraska Juniors 16’s Black 2019 Awards: Honorable Mention All-State, All-Tourney, Third Team Grand Island Independent 2019 Stats: Kills/Set, Total, Hitting Percentage: 3.0, 274, .226 Digs/Set, Total: 1.8, 167 Receptions/Set, Total: 1.4, 126 Gracie wants readers to know, “We will have a totally different look next year. There will be players contributing in places that they haven’t before. Also, a lot of people may not know that our team is made up of many multi-sport athletes. A majority of us travel outside central Nebraska 2-3 times a week to play club volleyball and basketball. (That’s a lot of miles!)” ⇒[player_tooltip player_id="37554" first="Chloe" last="Cloud"] | 2022 | 6’1 Middle | UNCOMMITTED Club: Nebraska Gold 2019 Stats: Kills/Set, Total, Hitting Percentage: 1.7, 152, .283 Blocks/Set, Total: .9, 82 ⇒Haily Asche | 2021 | 5’3 Defensive Specialist 2019 Stats: Digs/Set, Total: 3.8, 349 Receptions/Set, Total: 3.2, 292 [caption id="attachment_74351" align="alignright" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="59200" first="Evan" last="Glade"], GICC[/caption] ⇒[player_tooltip player_id="59200" first="Evan" last="Glade"] | 2023 | 5’11 Outside | UNCOMMITTED <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13215370/5ea85c304deb460c6441981f">HUDL Highlights </a>Club: Nebraska Juniors 16 Black Alternate Sport: Trap Shooting Evan on her Freshman season to now, “I started off my freshman year as a Middle Hitter for both JV and Varsity, which I had played 4 years prior in club. Then I was switched to Right Side shortly after the Varsity season started. It was a little tricky remembering the rotations between games, but I liked the challenge. I knew I would be moved around until I found a good fit. This season in club I was transitioned again into an Outside Hitter and played full rotation. I think I will be playing as an Outside this year for varsity, but we’ll see when the season starts. I think it’s an advantage that I’ve played all 3 spots across the net. It has helped me to play quick, play out of rotation when needed and to adjust to different sets.” Evan on pursuing college interest, “Yes, I am planning to play college volleyball. Since I am only going to be a sophomore I am limited with recruiting, but I have emailed multiple coaches and sent highlight videos. I’ve also attended many camps. I have had some great schools reach out with questionnaires and camp invites.” ⇒Rylie Rice | 2022 | 5’8 Outside/DS 2019 Awards: 2019 Stats: Serving Percentage: 93.3 ⇒Jenna Heidelk | 2022 | 5’4 Setter, Libero/Defensive Specialist, Serving Specialist Club: Nebraska Gold 2019 Stats: Serving Percentage: 98.6 ⇒Maddison Urbanski | 2021 | 5’8 Outside ⇒Alyssa Wilson | 2022 | 5’7 Outside Want more information on the Grand Island Central Catholic Crusaders including someone’s "little" sister joining the high school ranks in the fall of 2020? Vote for them on Twitter @nebhsvolleyball to push them to round 2!