Galvan Picks Up Where She Left Off a Year Ago
Last season, the Heritage lady Pride volleyball team made it to the state quarterfinals. A first in team history, and became one of the only team sports to ever make it to the state tournament for the Pride. But this year they are playing without almost all of last season's team. However, returning is senior tri-captain Gaby Galvan, a vital member of last season's great team. With a team made up of four seniors and a couple freshman, the lady pride will try to duplicate last years incredible run this season.
Coming into the 2007 season, she joins fellow seniors Rebecca Presor and Melissa McCandless and junior Ashley Scott as the only other lady Pride to have had varsity experience. But with Galvan in the center playing middle hitter and middle back (defense), the Pride will have a huge advantage over every team. Galvan might not have the height that other middle hitters in the district will have, but she has the technique and power necessary to get the spike down. With the stats that she received last season and the stats she is averaging thus far this season 8 to 10 kills and 10+ digs a match, don't be surprised if you hear the name Galvan receiving an award for her play on the court this year
Galvan started playing volleyball her freshman season three years ago while living in California. She says that in the eighth grade her P.E. teacher recommended she try out for the team. She denied though, but than during her freshman year decided to play and took a camp for it at her old school. She instantly fell in love and has been playing ever since. Her freshman year she won the rookie of the year award for her school. When she moved to Heritage her sophomore season she was put on the junior varsity team, than moved to varsity last season and has since been a huge contributor. She has also constantly been playing club volleyball up until this year.
When asked about becoming a captain this season Galvan stated, "I love it! I am really grateful to be one, especially with Becca and Melissa. Plus it's an easy job because we have such a great team." Co-captain Rebecca Presor had this to say about being a captain with Galvan; "Being a captain with Gaby is great. She is a great team player and her personality always makes the situation better."
"It's a really good opportunity to watch how much all of us improve over the season. We have been working really hard on team chemistry and we have achieved that which is really satisfying", says Galvan when asked about playing for a relatively young team. "Gaby is a great leader and role model for all of the younger players. She helps them out with whatever they need, and is a great teacher." Said Coach Carmel Keilty, a volleyball coach working into her 19th season, when asked how Galvan is as a leader for the younger players on the squad.
Galvan is also a great student in school and a great friend outside of school. Balancing school work, volleyball practices and games, and having a social life can be excruciating, but Galvan has mastered it. Presor said that Galvan always works hard and lightens all of our spirits with her jokes and encouragement inside and outside of practice.
After her senior season is completed this fall, Galvan will not step foot on a volleyball court for the NCAA. Instead she would like to take her 3.7 cumulative G.P.A. to attend a bigger university, Virginia Tech or the University of Pittsburgh is her preference for next fall, and hopefully play club volleyball there. "Most definitely, I can't imagine not playing, that's why I am doing club in college. I definitely won't stop. I'll probably coach or something." Said Galvan when asked about how hard it was going to be to give up competitive volleyball. With the Pride off to another good start, Galvan can go out in style at the end of the season.
