After verbally committing to play volleyball at the University of Southern California, senior Gabby McCaa saw Boston College as a better fit.

“I was committed to the University of Southern California and after a year, there were a few changes and I figured that reopening my recruiting process would better myself in the future,” McCaa said. “So I reached out to Boston College and other universities, and Boston College was the best choice.”

Varsity head coach Whitney Meierotto-Simon said McCaa was a strong a leader and role model for the volleyball team.

“It takes a lot of time, commitment, hard work, and confidence to be a leader on the volleyball court and Gabby was immediately all of that for us,” Meierotto-Simon said. “I am so grateful for my time with her and all she brought to St. Louis Park volleyball this year.”

According to McCaa, Park’s head volleyball coach helped her to reach her goal of playing volleyball at a Division I level.

“We were coached by Whitney and she is an amazing coach who has played volleyball at a higher level and she was able to coach me in a way that prepared me for the college training,” McCaa said.

Captain of girls’ volleyball, junior Makaila Winward, said McCaa has been an asset and role model for the Park team.

“She was our go-to girl the entire season. She was always someone to go to if you were in a rut, just get the ball to her and she would get it over and continue the play,” Winward said. “She always had great energy, so it really helped our team stay focused and stay involved in every game.”

Meierotto-Simon said she believes McCaa will be very successful in college.

“I think (Boston College) is going to be a great fit for Gabby,” Meierotto-Simon said. “She has an adventurous spirit which is going to allow her to be comfortable so far away from home, as well as meet and connect with new friends, teammates and coaches.”

McCaa said her hard work and dedication to volleyball has helped her develop into a great player.

“Volleyball is a big team sport and it only takes one person to kind of tilt the way the game is going, and so I think that working hard and really being devoted to this sport has helped me get to the level I am,” McCaa said.

According to Winward, McCaa’s ability to play several positions contributed to the varsity team’s success.

“She is a natural middle hitter, but we used her as a right side for our high school team, so we could run a lot of different plays with her playing both middle and right side, so nobody saw her coming,” Winward said.

McCaa said she is looking forward to becoming a part of the Boston College Women’s Volleyball team.

“They have a lot of great incoming players and the current coaching staff is doing a great job with the program, and so I am excited to break down some barriers,” McCaa said.