Gabrielle (Gabby) Hughes '16 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Gabby Hughes and I have been playing volleyball for over eight years; however I was introduced to volleyball even before that. My volleyball career started in fourth grade when I was encouraged by my mom to try out for a local team to see if I liked it. After my first year, I was absolutely hooked. From just messing around in the gym with some friends to traveling to big tournaments, I found my true passion. Throughout the years, I have been extremely blessed to meet many amazing people that I never would have met otherwise and I am super grateful to all the coaches who were so willing to help me out along the way. I am always open to constructive criticism because I never take it personally and I understand that my coach is just trying to make me a better player. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of volleyball and traveling to different tournaments while getting to hang out with all of my awesome teammates.

Volleyball has brought out my competitive side and made me work harder outside normal practice hours to improve. I am never afraid to admit that I need to work on something and I frequently stay after practice to pick up a few more reps of a certain skill. Throughout the week, I also go to see a strength and conditioning coach who I have been with for many years.  He helps me work on my overall strength and agility. I have seen the benefits of training with him transfer to improving my volleyball skills. Throughout my career, I have played basically every position and I finally landed on my favorite one: setting. I have been a setter since my freshmen year and I enjoy the responsibility of controlling the game more. My current club hitters require higher sets, but I am comfortable lowing my sets and running a faster offense.

            While volleyball has taken up a significant part of my after-school time, I have been able to keep up with all my schoolwork and on occasion spend time with my friends. I am currently a junior at Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga Tennessee and as of right now I have a 3.76 cumulative GPA. This year, I was inducted into the National Honors Society and Beta Club so I have learned through the years how to balance volleyball with school.  I am committed not only to my sport, but also to my academics.

            I am looking to attend a smaller school with some sort of accounting degree or finance major. My collegiate goals are to have fun playing volleyball but, at the same time, earn a professional degree where I can work in either business or finance.