Coming off a year winning GLIAC Freshman of the Year and being a key part of the volleyball team’s Elite Eight run, sophomore Gabby Piazza looks forward to her second collegiate year.
Growing up in Shorewood, Illinois, Piazza was in a lot of sports. Before finding volleyball in 6th grade, Piazza did dance, soccer, basketball and softball. Her mom signed her up for a volleyball camp in that 6th-grade year, which Piazza enjoyed and continued as a student at Joliet West High School, where she was an all-conference and all-region player.
Piazza talked about the recruitment process leading her to Ferris State.
“I wanted to go Division 2 and I wanted to be in a successful, competitive program,” Piazza said. “Ferris State was the first school I sent an email to, and I didn’t get back until both my coach and I emailed schools. I then had a call with Ferris’ coaches, and after the tour I knew I wanted to be here.”
In her freshman year, Piazza ended the season with 218 kills, which was good for 5th on the team. She also recorded 2.29 kills per set, which was second last season behind Olivia Henneman-Dallape’s 4.22 kills per set. Piazza ended up winning GLIAC Freshman of the Year during the 2024 season, an award that was a surprise to her. Piazza is happy that her team puts her in a position to let her shine and that everyone puts in the work.
Graduate outside hitter Tatum Outlaw had nothing but good things to say about her teammate.
“Gabby is such a joy to play with,” Outlaw said. “She brings so much energy and love for the game to the court and will never fail to make you feel good when you’re playing around her. She’s a girl with a lot of passion and dedication to the things that she is passionate about. She is willing and isn’t afraid to make mistakes and be put in uncomfortable situations to not only help her skills grow, but for the benefit of the team. She is such a loyal friend and teammate and will be your biggest cheerleader.”
Through the first ten games of the 2025 season, Piazza has recorded 123 kills for a 4.10 kills per set percentage, both of which lead the team. In the four matches played in the Texas-Tyler Invitational, Piazza had only one match with fewer than ten kills.
In the first match vs Texas-Tyler, Piazza recorded 19 kills, which is currently her highest in a single match. In the four matches in Denver, Colorado, for the Colorado Premier Challenge, Piazza recorded 10 or more kills, including 15 kills against both West Florida University and MSU Denver. After her performance in both Invitationals, Piazza was named to both All-Tournament teams, an honor that she says is nice, but isn’t the main goal she had in mind.
Head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm loves having Piazza on her team.
“Gabby’s just such a competitor,” Brandel-Wilhelm said. “She’s just a feisty player, a super great teammate, and someone that you just want on your team. If you’re playing, you’re going to want to pick her to be on your team every time.”
Piazza talked about her favorite parts of being in Big Rapids and being a part of Ferris State.
“I love the community,” Piazza said. “I love the volleyball team and my teammates. I also love how people are interested in the success of the athletes here. Every day, I have people wishing me good luck. We’ve been far from home to start the season, but it’s really awesome to know that people are supporting me and want the best from me.”
With the invitationals ended and GLIAC play starting, Piazza has a lot of personal goals for her sophomore season, one of which is to work on being one of the best teams in November and December.