Look Out: Six Watch List Nominees Return to the GRHS Volleyball Courts
Six GRHS Volleyball players return to the courts this 2020 season after being chosen for AVCA Phenom & Under Armour All American watch lists. Here’s a look into what these athletes went through regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 16, 2020
Out of thousands of Volleyball athletes nation-wide, six of our own GRHS varsity players have been selected to be apart of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Phenom Watch List and the Under Armour All American Watch List for unsigned seniors.
AVCA invites the uncommitted athletes who are selected to join the Phenom College Preparatory Program, which gives the participating players a grand chance of playing in college.
The players who were selected for the 2020 AVCA Phenom watch list are the following: Alexandra Sczech (11th) verbally committed to Baylor University, Logan Lednicky (11th) verbally committed to Texas A&M University, Avery Shimaitis (11th), and Riley Steubing (10th).
The senior players who were selected for the Under Armour All-American Watch list are the following: Alexandra Tennon (12th) verbally committed to Quinnipac University, and Brianna Steubing (12th).
Two of our Six returning athletes were asked a series of questions to illuminate the difficulties of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and how this change altered their club seasons and training over summer.
Here’s a view into how Sczech had to adapt to the pandemic, and what her goals are for this season.
The Wrangler: What have you done over the prolonged 6-month quarantine to stay in volleyball shape?
Sczech: To stay in shape over quarantine I would run at least 2.5 miles a day and do some sort of plyometric volleyball workout during the day.
The Wrangler: What was the hardest change or switch with COVID-19 regulations, new rules, and just staying safe?
Sczech: I would say my hardest change with this pandemic has been not having a daily schedule to work on. I really like to work on a schedule to achieve my goals. Its just hard not having that everyday regiment.
I would say my hardest change with this pandemic has been not having a daily schedule to work on. I really like to work on a schedule to achieve my goals. Its just hard not having that everyday regiment.
— Alexandra Szech
The Wrangler: What do you expect for this upcoming season from yourself or your team as a whole?
Sczech: This season I hope to go super far in playoffs and win state! I think this goal is so attainable with hard work and determination! My biggest goal this season is to do everything in my power to help this team excel!
Here’s a view into how Shimaitis’ feels about this upcoming season, and the difficulties of adapting to this pandemic.
The Wrangler: What do you expect for this upcoming season from yourself or your team as a whole?
Shimaitis: Our team is really strong, so I expect us to thrive this season. We are all really competitive and driven. We want to make up for our past years, so we are ready to to do what it takes to get to State!
The Wrangler: What have you done over the prolonged six-month quarantine to stay in volleyball shape?
Shimaitis: Over the six-month quarantine I have stayed very active by running around my neighborhood every day and working out at F45. I was also getting volleyball reps at my volleyball gym every weekend!
Our Longhorn team is coming in hot and strong this 2020 season. With three verbally committed athletes, and the six players who are on watchlists, GRHS Varsity squad has a very successful path up ahead of them!
