by JOHN HOWLEY / sportingpumpkin.com
A key player for Circleville since a freshman, Gabby McConnell’s ability on the volleyball court was even more important in her senior season as a leader for a team with a relatively young roster.
For her work as a player and a leader, McConnell has been named the inaugural winner of the Lori Koker Award recognizing Pickaway County’s outstanding senior volleyball player.
“I don’t think she understands what she brought to the team just as far as keeping them together in tense situations. You have freshmen on the court, especially another freshman setter, her calm and her demeanor on the court was just huge,” said Circleville coach Crystal Thornsley. “She was a silent leader, and she was the glue who kept us in that calm mode where we could focus and move forward.”
After reaching the 1,000 assists plateau toward the end of her junior campaign, McConnell added another 388 this season and 264 digs as a senior saw her eclipse 1,000 for her career in that category as well.
“It was a super big accomplishment. I didn’t think I would get a thousand assists that early,” McConnell said. “My teammates were a big part of that.”
McConnell has been playing organized volleyball since seventh grade.
“I just love the game, it’s very exciting and I love playing with my teammates,” she said.
She noted that she’s had some great teammates over the years, not the least of whom was her big sister, Kenzie.
“Kenzie obviously helped me when we played together. When I was a freshman and she was a senior, she really pushed me and made me a lot better,” McConnell said. “Over the years I’ve had a lot of great teammates who have pushed me to be the best I can be, and just in practice made me work harder.”
After serving as head coach previously, this was Thornsley’s first season back at the helm for the Tigers.
“Taking over again and having Gab with three years’ experience made my job easy,” Thornsley said. “We had a freshman setter in Ally (Thornsley) who she took under her wing, and they formed a bond, which was really cool to watch her in action. She did a fantastic job kind of controlling the team and setting the tone as a senior.
“We were really young, but I think through her experience and calmness on the court, that led to a lot of our success this season.”
The Tigers posted a 19-5 record this season and were 12-2 in Mid-State League Buckeye Division action — second only to Bloom-Carroll (24-2, 14-0).
“It’s super exciting being able to celebrate each point with my teammates. And having fun out there with them makes the game so much more special and enjoyable,” McConnell said.
“I think her maturity every year has been fantastic. Watching her as a freshman setting her sister Kenz, who was just phenomenal, I know she took a beating,” Thornsley said. “Just watching her grow, she’s an impressive athlete. Skills come naturally to her. Defensively this year I was really impressed with her and how much she stepped up on the defensive side.”
While she hasn’t decided on where she wants to continue her education, the three-sport athlete (she also is a leader on the basketball and softball teams) is leaning toward trying to play volleyball in college. McConnell said she is looking to go into the medical field, possibly as a radiology technologist.
The Lori Koker file
In preparation for the initial presentation of a volleyball player of the year award, naming it in honor of Lori Koker seemed more than appropriate.
Koker began her coaching career at Westfall in 1997. During 14 seasons with the Mustangs, her teams posted a 273-86 record as they claimed two Scioto Valley Conference titles, 13 sectional titles, 11 district championships, were twice regional runner-up and made three straight trips to the Final Four.
Koker then spent six seasons at Zane Trace where she claimed another SVC title, five sectionals and another district.
Most recently she spent three seasons at the helm of Southeastern where, among other accomplishments, she earned her 400th win as a coach.
A leader in the gym, she’s also a fighter off the court where she’s beaten back cancer once and is fighting it off again.
“Volleyball is part of my life for sure,” Koker said. “I have truly been blessed with great players who have made me who I am today, the administrations and coaches who have coached with me, all that goes together, and I just love the game.
“I’m extremely honored. And I want to congratulate Gabby for the targets she has hit with the digs and assists, that’s quite amazing.”
“It’s very special. I am very honored to be getting this award,” McConnell said. “I think it’s super exciting that they chose me to get this and I’m very honored.”
Thornsley went up against Koker in her first stint at the helm for Circleville and knows what a competitor she is.
“Coming in in 2001 and having to face Lori and her team and her greatness as a coach, I have the utmost respect for her and what she brings to the game of volleyball,” Thornsley said. “It’s been a huge part of my drive as a coach. Coming back into it, I always get in contact with her. She’s somebody I have here on my phone.
“Whatever team, whatever school she’s at, I’m finding her, because I know it’s going to be well-coached, disciplined and successful.
“For Gab to receive this award, it really is a prestigious award and an honor. Lori is just an amazing woman.”
Along with an award the player will be able to keep, a new trophy has been created and will reside in the winner’s school’s trophy case until a new winner is named the following season.
