Junior outside hitter Gracie Vohs has verbally committed to play for St. Mary’s College of California, and will officially sign with the college the fall of her senior year.

Vohs started to play organized volleyball in second grade and has played ever since. Former Sisters High School (SHS) players were a big part of her decision to play the sport.

Vohs shared early memories of her high school idols:

“My old babysitter, Kendra Sitz (former SHS student and volleyball player), always played volleyball with me in the yard, even before I really got started in second grade,” said Vohs. “I looked up to and admired all the SHS volleyball players. Gracelyn (Myhre) and I would always play volleyball at recess, and we went to all the volleyball games and would wear the huge T-shirts the players would throw to the fans.”

At that point Vohs was hooked, and she has played organized volleyball every year for the past 10 years. From second through fifth grade she played through Bend Parks and Rec and then from sixth through eighth grade on the Sisters Middle School team.

In seventh grade, she started to play club ball through the Outlaws Volleyball Club (OVC), and in eighth grade switched to the Central Oregon Volleyball Club (COVC). She has played with that club ever since. The team has played in tourneys in Eugene, Salem, and Portland, and traveled to Las Vegas and Spokane for bigger tournaments.

In Vohs’ sophomore year, she started to visit colleges, including Boise State and Lane Community College, with the intent to play volleyball.

In November of 2022 she visited St. Mary’s, and she immediately loved it. St. Mary’s is a small college in the town of Moraga, just outside San Francisco. The small campus is comprised mostly of athletes, and Vohs said they have a lot of resources specifically for athletes.

Vohs shared her experience with the volleyball coaches and players on her visit to St. Mary’s.

“I loved the coaching staff!” said Vohs. “They were personable and they wanted to get to know me and family outside of volleyball, and the team welcomed me with open arms. I was there for two of their games and they included me in their locker room dance party and their morning breakfast, and I got to sit in on their film studies, where they scouted their upcoming opponents. I also got to sit behind the bench during the games, and before the games started they all came and gave me a big hug.”

Vohs loves the sport.

“I love that the team always feels like a family,” she said. “There are six individuals on the court, but we’re still one team and you have to work together to be successful. Of the game itself, I love that it’s fast-paced, something is always happening, and you have to trust the people around you.”

Vohs has played both as a middle, and most recently, as an outside hitter, and explained why she prefers to play as an outside hitter.

“It’s a way different block than the middle and you have way more shots that you can use,” said Vohs. “And when you play outside you get to play back row too, and at middle you typically don’t. In the back I love serving, and passing is super calming to me because I know if I get a good pass I’m setting my teammates up for success.”

Vohs is excited for the new challenge that lies ahead. She told The Nugget that she feels that playing at a higher level will give her a new perspective on the game.