Meet Notre Dame senior Gabby Deery, the high school athlete of the week
Matt LevinsThe Hawk Eye
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Gabby Deery couldn't have scripted a better high school volleyball career than the one she has had thus far.
The Notre Dame High School senior has accomplished just about everything there is to achieve on the court in her first 3 1/2 seasons for the Nikes.
Surrounded on the court by her best friends and in the stands by her family, Deery has helped Notre Dame win back-to-back Class 1A state championships. She was the Class 1A state Player of the Year last season. She has been a Class 1A first team all-state player the last two years.
This season, Deery is among the state's overall leaders in kills (186), kill attempts (396) and kill efficiency (.357). She leader Class 1A in the first two categories and is fourth in the latter.
And to top things off the 6-foot-1 outside hitter has verbally committed to play volleyball next year for the University of Iowa.
On Tuesday night, following seventh-ranked Notre Dame's victory over eighth-ranked Holy Trinity, Deery was honored for reaching the 1,000-kill milestone for her career.
Heading into Thursday's SEI Superconference South Division match against Class 1A's 15th-ranked New London, Deery was averaging 3.6 kills, 2.1 digs and 0.8 blocks for her career and was serving at an 88.5-percent clip with 113 aces for her career.
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Notre Dame is 89-35 overall and 16-8 in the South Division since Deery first stepped foot on the court for the Nikes on Aug. 31, 2019 in a loss to Carroll at the Skip Anderson Classic at Bondurant-Farrar.
The Hawk Eye recently caught up to Deery, The Hawk Eye's High School Athlete of the Week, to find out a little more about her.
What is your favorite sport besides volleyball?
"My favorite sport other than volleyball is basketball. This past year we had a great season. Making it to the state tournament was an amazing experience and we were proud to be there in honor of Coach Myers."
What is it that you like about volleyball?
"I could talk forever about the love I have for volleyball, but there are a few things that stand out. Playing a sport with my best friends in both high school and club has created some of my favorite memories, having the opportunity to see my hard work pay off is very rewarding, and the constant support I have been surrounded with by my family, teammates, coaches, and friends. There is much more to volleyball than just winning."
What is your best memory in volleyball?
"My best memory is winning back to back state championships."
How do you and your teammates make practice fun?
"My teammates and I make practices fun by involving Grace Reid (our biggest cheerleader, toughest coach, and scorekeeper)."
Do you have any pregame or gameday routines and what are they?
"The goal of my game day routine is to channel the energy I have surrounding the upcoming game and use it to focus on what I can do to win. I do this by decompressing and also listening to hype music in the locker room with my teammates."
Who is your most supportive teammate?
Lexi Korschgen is only a sophomore, but she is a teammate that has always had my back. Lexi is the one of the most supportive, genuine, and caring players I have ever had on any of my teams. Her actions never go unnoticed."
Who is your biggest role model and why?
"I can’t choose just one role model so I would have to say my four older sisters (Niko, Bridget, Grace, and Evie). They are all successful in their different careers and never fail to show their support for me. Each of my sisters have attended the University of Iowa which is how I discovered my love for the school. They have made me proud to become a Hawkeye."
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
"My favorite subject is science because of my interest in the medical field."
What is your favorite meal?
"I love all types of pasta and anything that is sweet!!"
What is your favorite TV show?
"Grey’s Anatomy!!"
If you won the lottery, what would your first purchase be and why?
"I would purchase a private jet because I love to travel. My first stop would be Paris!!"
What do you enjoy doing in your free time and why?
"I love spending time with my sisters, cousins, and friends. Jet skiing on the Mississippi is one of my favorite things to do. I also love family vacations."
What is your favorite motivational slogan or quote?
"My grandpa passed away a month ago and he always told me, 'You can be whatever you want to be with hard work.' I will cherish his advice forever."
What are your future plans for college and career?
"I plan to attend the University of Iowa to play volleyball and major in pre-dental and eventually go to dental school."
What is something about yourself that would surprise people?
"When I was little, I wanted to be a police officer."
Matt Levins is a sports reporter for the USA Today Network in Burlington, Iowa, who has covered local sports for 32 years at The Hawk Eye. Reach him at mlevins@thehawkeye.com.