When Gabby Dean met with her new Team Indiana Volleyball Club teammates for the first time this winter, coach Rich Coleman did a little get-to-know-you session.
Each of the players on the club’s top 16-year-old team, most have which have been together for at least a couple of years, gave some information about themselves, including their ages. Most were 15 or 16.
So when the 6-foot-4, soft-spoken Dean mentioned that she was 14, her teammates were taken aback. They had witnessed the Columbus East freshman play with the power and poise of someone much older.
“She’s a mature kid and also a very humble kid for all the success that she’s had,” Coleman said. “She was able to come in and gain trust of her teammates quickly and become a key part of our team. She’s taken off.”
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In the past week, Dean, who turned 15 last month, has made a pair of national honor lists. Last week, she made the USA Volleyball High Performance Youth A1 National Training Team. The group was scheduled for 10 days of intense training and international competition with other girls from all over the in July, but that has been canceled because of COVID-19. The national training team is a pipeline program for those interested in high level and Olympic level volleyball, and Dean will have another year in the 16-and-under age group.
Earlier this week, Dean was one of 81 total players and one of only 18 in the Class of 2023 to be named to the JVA (Junior Volleyball Association) All-National Team. Honorees usually receive their awards at the national tournament in Orlando, but this year’s ceremony will be virtual.
“I’m definitely honored to be named and grateful for all of those,” Dean said. “I’m honored to be associated with other top players in the country.”
The JVA All-National team was selected by coaches. Players had to send in videos for consideration for the USA Volleyball High Performance team.
“You never know, especially with the shortened season how everything is going to turn out, especially from the awards perspective,” Coleman said. “With the accolades that she received, it’s only the beginning.”
Former East coach Stacie Pagnard, who recently accepted the coaching job at New Castle introduced Dean to Coleman, who led Carmel to the 2014 state title and now coaches at Zionsville.
“Stacie is a phenomenal coach,” Coleman said. “She recommended Gabby to come up and play, knowing that I like to train middles. We got going, and she never batted an eye, never took a rep off. Unfortunately, our season was cut a little bit short.”
Before the coronavirus pandemic sent the club volleyball season on hiatus, Dean helped Team Indiana win its first tournament of the season in January Fort Wayne. The team finished fifth in the Central Zone Tournament in Indianapolis and ninth in the Louisville Bluegrass Invitational.
“Gabby was dominant both offensively and blocking-wise,” Coleman said. “She hadn’t been used as much offensively. She became a vital part of our offense quickly.”
Dean, a middle hitter, helped lead the Olympians to a sectional title as a freshman last fall.
“I feel like I’ve gotten stronger throughout the year, and getting better mentally has helped a lot, too,” Dean said. “A lot of coaches have helped me with that along the way.”
Coleman said Team Indiana has been doing virtual workouts on Zoom since teams had to stop practicing in person, and Dean did not miss one session. They are set to resume in-person practices today.
“The measurables speak for themselves,” Coleman said. “She’s tall, she’s physical. She’s just growing into her body. She’s going to swing harder and get her technique down and continue doing what she’s been doing. One of the things I first noticed was her work ethic. She came in and did a workout, and I thought, ‘She’s going to be out of this world.’ She’s been extremely coachable. She’s like a sponge. She’s on a path to easily be an All-State performer if not this year, the next. Her drive and ability will set her apart.”
Dean also was a high honorable mention selection in basketball this season. She currently is playing travel team basketball with Indiana Elite, which had its first practice of the season on Saturday.
“It definitely is a lot of fun, and I get to meet a lot of people from them,” Dean said. “At times, it can be challenging. But I love both of them, and I just try to make it work the best that I can.”
A Division I prospect in both sports, Dean is certain to get Division I scholarship offers. She hasn’t marketed herself as much in basketball, and college volleyball programs can’t make offers until June 15 after a prospect’s sophomore year of high school. Players can, and Dean has, e-mailed college coaches, but schools can’t initiate contact until next year.
For now, Dean plans to continue playing both volleyball and basketball for the Olympians.
“I’m probably going to have to lean toward one soon, but for now, I love both,” Dean said. “I don’t want to limit my opportunities. I just want to continue to improve and learn new skills and be the best that I can be.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Gabby Dean” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Gabby Dean
Age: 15
High school: Columbus East
Year: Just finished freshman year
Sports: Volleyball, basketball
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