Gilliard is the player who immediately catches your attention in warmups: explosive, exceptionally athletic, and intimidating with her sheer power. What makes her so exciting, though, is that everything you see in warmups translates directly to match play. She hits with authority against even a well-formed block and has the athleticism to shut down opposing hitters at the net. During this regional matchup, her offensive versatility was especially impressive. Gilliard attacked effectively from multiple points along the net, executing the shoot set, two-ball up the middle, back-row attack, and right-side attack with both power and efficiency. Just as encouraging has been her continued improvement in the back row, where stronger defensive and passing contributions are making her a legitimate six-rotation player who can stay on the court in every rotation. Gilliard is one to watch this club season, and I expect her to make significant waves on the recruiting trail.

Similar to Miss Stokes listed above, Miss Gilliard is a dynamic, heavy-hitting outside that can terminate from anywhere and is being asked to do more and more in each and every match for the Trojans. The offense is built around her, and her high-and-hard attitude when it comes to hitting makes the ball sound different coming off of her hand.

The class of ‘29 has PLENTY of attacking talent, but none bring the maturity or physicality like Gabby. Her all-around game has steadily improved in the last 18 months as well, and her playing up a year in club allowed her to learn quickly that her tough nature and relentless work ethic and drive will mean a lot for the Trojans as the fall progresses. She hits high, hard and heavy, and is the primary attacker for 4A top ten Center Grove.

We start today’s pin attacker piece with an athlete that is more than capable of carrying the offensive load for whatever roster she’s a part of. For her club team, she’s the right side that hammers away at all tempos of sets and to all angles. On her high school team—-a top ten program in 4A—-she’s the primary passing outside hitter that can terminate from anywhere at any time and in any situation. Gabby is a must-have for the next level, and should be one of the first to receive a commitment next summer.

Easily one of the heaviest hitting pin attackers in the class of ‘29, Gabby is the right side for the top 16s team in the state of Indiana. Already accustomed to high-level open play last season and this season, Gabby turned into the primary attacker for the 4A top ten Trojans by the end of the fall of ‘25. The heft with which she attacks, added to her overall athletic acuity, makes her one of the best in this class, and is showing out against kids a full year older than she.

Currently the right side for Circle’s 16 Purple squad that’s already qualified in Open at GJNCs, Gabby is a heavy-hitting, highly athletic attacker that carried her high school squad on offense by the end of the season last fall. Big and physical, Gabby’s volleyball IQ is quite high for her age—-she understands shot-making depending on the defensive situation in front of her, and is a problem for opposing outsides when they attack. From a highly athletic family, Gabby’s ceiling is limitless, and will be a highly sought after recruit in the class of ‘29.

Of the pin hitters on this roster, this Gabby might be the most physical. With a rare combination of youth and power, Miss Gilliard has that innate ability to put weight behind the ball when attacking, making her that much harder to defend. She can also terminate from either pin—-size, explosiveness, pace and heft behind the ball show Gabby’s maturity is far beyond other pin attackers in her class, and she’s still only a freshman.

Big, physical and relentless, Miss Gilliard was, by the end of her first high school season, the go-to offensive weapon for the 4A top ten Trojans. She even sprinkled in a little serve receive training just so that she could put away a few more balls in the back row. Playing up a year on the 15 Open squad at Circle that finished 3rd last summer, she rejoins the same club team, this time at 16s, and will be a major factor for their success this coming spring.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the freshman on the other side of the net in that epic regional matchup. Gabby is a big, tough and relentless outside attacker that jumps well and can do everything at an above-average level. Yes, her 20 kill, 7 dig performance was impressive, but I’m more intrigued with the 26 service receptions without an error in her biggest role yet.

It’s hard to believe that this young lady is a freshman, yet here we are. Big, physical and fearless, Gabby is already seeing a ton of reps on varsity at 4A top ten Center Grove. I got a chance to see her hammer away at Avon, another 4A blue blood program, and the Orioles had no answer for Gabby’s size, strength and energy. She’s a pleasure to watch, and can get stronger as the match wears on, which is scary. The ball she hits is heavy, which makes blocking and digging her highly difficult.