When Gabby Gunterman was a freshman going through on-the-job training on the varsity level for the Lake Stevens volleyball team, she could hit the ball hard, but her all-around game needed refinement.
She worked hard over the next three years to become a threat even when she wasn’t spiking the ball a million miles per hour. And as a result, she’s become a more complete player.
But of course, the huge, gym-rattling hits she doles out on a regular basis remain a huge part of her on-court personality. She loves to be on the attack.
“The feeling I get when I hit a ball is like nothing else,” Gunterman said. “It’s such a rush, such a cool feeling. I’ll never forget it.”
This season Gunterman proved herself as the best offensive player in the Wesco 4A. The All-Wesco 4A first-team selection is the Herald’s 2016 Volleyball Player of the Year.
“She elevated herself to the top because she spends a ton of time on weight training and conditioning,” Vikings coach Dawn Hanson said. “She’s stronger and more explosive, and her vertical leap has increased dramatically. As she’s gotten older, she’s gotten really smart. She can crush the ball, which is awesome, but she got good at a chip shot, a roll shot, a deep tip. She added a bunch of other options to her arsenal and developed a smart all-around game.”
All of that being said, “she’s got a ridiculously fast arm swing,” Hanson said. “If she gets behind the ball and not under it, she’ll pound the crap out if it.”
Gunterman augments her natural talents and fierce work ethic with an innate inquisitiveness. She’s not afraid to admit when she doesn’t know something. She’ll ask specific questions and demand specific answers. “And when you give her even a minor correction, she does it,” Hanson said.
“Between playing a lot and training and conditioning, I’m focused on what I want to get better at,” Gunterman said. “I have clear goals because I’ve always been a determined person in general, and this is something that I’m passionate about. I want to get better.”
The 5-foot-10 Gunterman tallied 390 kills, a .351 hitting percentage, 102 digs and 25 aces this season, leading the Vikings to a conference championship and an eighth-place finish at the 4A state tournament.
“The main thing was working on my mental game, (being able) to shake stuff off and move on to the next point,” she said. “When you dwell on something, it’s harder to play for your teammates. The biggest challenge is staying in the game mentally all the time. Even if I’m not playing my best, I want to give it my best.
“I’m 100 percent satisfied with the way our season went. Our goal was to get to state, and (getting there) was an amazing experience for all of us. To place (at state) exceeded our expectations.”
Last month Gunterman signed a letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at Western Washington University.
“I’m so excited (to go there), I can’t even explain it in words,” said Gunterman, who is pondering a career as a teacher, writer or journalist. “I think it’s a perfect fit for me and my personality. I’m excited to have new eyes look at me and help me improve as a player.
“The big thing is that they’re letting me be an outside hitter. I’m on the shorter side in the volleyball world, and I had chances to go to Division-I schools and be a libero. I love volleyball all-around, but there’s something special about hitting, and it’s a part of me, and I just couldn’t let it go and be happy.”
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