A LIFE OF VOLLEYBALL FOR SARA GANTT

In an area known for its volleyball talent, 17 year old Butler High School senior is among the very best players in town.  The all-conference performer started playing the game as a ten year old.  After years of hard work, she has risen to the top of her class and will play the game in college next season.

The daughter of Harvey and Crystal Gantt played on the Butler High School varsity team all four years, earning all-conference honors the last three seasons.  Her strong play and ability to play many positions came in handy for the Bulldogs.  As a freshman and sophomore, Sara played on the right side and as a setter.  From there she moved to the outside and then to the position of Libero.

Libero is an unfamiliar term to most.  The libero is a designated back-row player, intended to be used as a ball-control specialist.  The libero is allowed to replace any player in the back row without counting as a substitution.  There is no limit to the number of libero replacements a team is allowed. The libero may not block or attempt to block. The libero may not attack the ball if contact is made while the ball is completely above the height of the net.
Over the last few years, the position has made its way into high school volleyball.  The position has been a perfect fit for Sara.

“I fell in love with the position,” Sara said.  You have to be very aggressive to play Libero.  It’s a mentally challenging position.  The position really allows me to have a strong level of confidence in knowing I can control the way the game is played.  It’s been kind of cool when other teams have tried to keep the ball away from me.”

In addition to her play at Butler High School, Sara has played volleyball year round, playing many years with the Carolina Juniors Volleyball Club.  She has played volleyball in 21 states to date.   As a 16 year old, her team finished third in the American Division of the Junior Olympic Nationals.

Her coach from that team, Suzie Pignetti has high praise for Sara.

“Sara is a beautiful person both inside and out.  She has a quiet nature about her but deep inside she has a loud, fighting spirit.  She has worked hard and, because of that, she has become a very good volleyball player.”

Sara has now turned her attention to choosing the best place to play college volleyball and continue her education.  Over thirty schools have shown an interest in having her join their volleyball team.  Sara has elected to skip the Fall NCAA Signing Period and wait until the Spring Signing Period to ink her name to an NCAA Letter of Intent.  Her hope is to excel in club play the next few months and open up even more opportunities.

“The libero position is always one of the last positions to be filled by a college, coach, so I have decided to wait and see how things play out.”

Schools from the ACC, SEC and Southern Conference are all staying in touch with Sara as she works through the process of selecting her school.

Sara will also factor academics into her college decision.  She carries a 3.5 grade point average and has developed a strong interest in fashion design.  Sara would very much like to find a college that offers a strong volleyball program along with a fashion design major.

The South Charlotte Sports Report sends out our best wishes to Sara as she concludes her brilliant high school career and makes the all important college decision.  With her skills and outlook on the future, we know she will make the perfect decision.  Good Luck Sara!