| 07 December 2010
Senior outside hitter Gabby Bird-Vogel led Seattle Prep to its first 3A state volleyball championship since 2003. Bird-Vogel has committed to Yale University. This morning she was named to the 2010 Star Times Volleyball team along with her head coach, Katie Wilson. We got a chance to catch up with Bird-Vogel to get her thoughts on her successful volleyball season. Check it out after the jump!
Seattle Prep had an incredible run at the state tournament. How did everything come together when the stakes were so high?
Honestly, we tried to go into the tournament not thinking about expectations or the high stakes. We knew that every match, and actually every point would be a fight. We talked before our first match and concluded that the trust within our team, between teammates, to compete and play all out every play would put us in contention for each and every point. We were focused on winning our 25 points, point by point.
Was the team chemistry always there, or when did things start coming together where you could fully trust each other?
After graduating the five last year it was hard work to create a flow within the team. We were also somewhat delayed due to sickness, concussions, shoulder injuries, tailbone injuries. Basically we did not have a full roster this entire season until state. However, towards the end of league play we really started to mesh--it was clear in our district match against Holy Names that we had really come together.
Last year's team accomplished a lot and benefited from the senior leadership. Comment on how this year's Seniors led the team through the adversity faced throughout the season. Who were some players that stepped into leadership roles besides yourself?
Payton Burnett, Elizabeth Lundberg, and I were this year's seniors and we just worked hard to keep motivating everyone by just staying positive.
This again, was a great year for the Metro League, as made evident by the last two teams standing at the state championship. What was it like playing in such a tough league?
Just being in the Metro league gets you prepared for any other competition. We always have the toughest league in the state, and are used to having to consistently play our best volleyball. It is nice to know that coming in to the state tournament, that sure you may not have the best record, but you are used to the speed of top volleyball and ready for whatever the competition may throw at you.
Of everyone you went up against, which teams or players provided the biggest challenge to the team?
During the regular season: Eastside Catholic. We just never really were able to control the game against them. At state it was either Camas or Mount Si--they both had really strong setters who controlled their offenses well (and were able to find the open dump).
How does it feel to be a state champion? Has it fully sunken in yet?
It hasn't really sunken in. I don't know. I couldn't be happier--it was the perfect way to go out. I've just been in a blissful state.
What are you going to miss most about the Seattle Prep volleyball program?
The coaches and community within the girls. I've had an amazing experience bonding with everyone and I will miss watching the program continue to grow.
You've played with a number of great players since your freshman year, are there any particular upperclassmen that helped you get to where you are now?
Sophomore year I really looked up to Kaija Hawes, she is a fierce competitor and she always was relaxed but intense during pressure situations. Of course Lani Beadle. She helped me immensely last year. She just had such a presence on the court that I looked up to.
So you'll be playing for Yale next season, what other schools were you considering and what separated Yale from the other colleges?
I was considering several other Ivy league schools and a couple small catholic universities (Villanova and Santa Clara), but I just figured the next 4 years would be the perfect opportunity to experience a change in culture/coast. When I first visited Yale in july '09, I immediately fell in love with the campus and different aspects of the school. I love the community feel of Yale coming from a tight knit high school. That was really vital in the decision making process for me. Their residential college system, and the overall small community feel of the school made a huge difference for me.
