Dec. 6, 2024
GLIAC Freshman of the Year Gabby Piazza playing significant role for top-ranked Ferris State volleyball squad
First-year Bulldog Gabby Piazza knew as a committed recruit she was joining a strong Ferris State University volleyball team, a program steeped in tradition with high expectations entering the 2024 season.
A 6-foot first-year outside hitter from Shorewood, Illinois might have expected the usual rookie script: work hard, listen intently, gain knowledge and establish the foundation for a successful college volleyball career.
Piazza has been playing a significant role earlier than perhaps expected for the Bulldogs, the top-ranked NCAA Division II team in the nation, undefeated at 32-0 and as winners of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships.
The Bulldogs are working through the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Tournament, which started Thursday in Big Rapids. Piazza is grateful for a strong senior class leading the way.
"As one of the young players on our team, we really look up to our seniors when you think of everything they've done in their careers for the program," said Piazza, who prepped at Joliet West High School where she twice earned Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association all-state honors besides receiving all-conference and all-region. "I've already learned so much just from watching them every day, asking questions and paying close attention. Our seniors have been so helpful to me."
Piazza has 182 kills this season for Ferris State, ranking her fifth on the team. Those numbers and her impact helped her earn the 2024 GLIAC Freshman of the Year Award. Piazza has been an efficient hitter for the Bulldogs with a .292 attack percentage on a team that is stacked with experienced and talented players, including an eight-player senior class.
"I was very surprised to win that award. I was not expecting that at all," Piazza said. "I'm really grateful. I never would have thought coming here to Ferris State that I would win an award like that one. I'm thankful for my teammates and my coaches."
Piazza's early success has been especially important for the Bulldogs with an injury to talented 6-foot-1 sophomore Emily May, who was coming off a great freshman campaign in her own right during the 2023 season.
The focus for Piazza has been on being the best teammate possible. A big part of that, she has learned, has been following the direction of the coaching staff, led by head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm, the assistant coaches and the examples of the upperclassmen on the Ferris State roster.
Piazza has learned her lessons well, and that has led to some big performances this season, including a 14-kill performance in the Bulldogs' GLIAC Tournament 3-2 semifinals win over Michigan Tech on Saturday, Nov. 23. The 14-kill performance tied a season high effort which she initially reached on Oct. 18 vs. Northwood, a match during which she had a .667 attack percentage.
"Our coaches make it very clear what our roles are going to be on our team," she said. "We've talked a lot about our roles and how it fits in with the team. It's an honor for me to play with these players. This is a really special opportunity for me. We all work very hard to make each other better. These girls certainly made me better. They've helped me grow to be out there to help our team."
The Bulldogs are hosting the 2024 NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Tournament, with Ferris State as the No. 1 seed. The semifinals are Friday, Dec. 6, and the regional championship match is at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.