Erin Gadberry earns volleyball scholarship

Erin Gadberry, a senior at Meredosia-Chambersburg High School, has signed an athletic letter of intent to attend and play volleyball at Black Hawk College-East Campus next season.

Gadberry, a 5-foot-10 middle/outside hitter, will receive a full scholarship to attend the junior college in Kewanee.

“It’s really cool because I’ve always wanted to keep playing volleyball, and I was really sad when it was over this year,” Gadberry said. “To know that it’s not over is really relaxing and exciting.”

Gadberry first became interested in playing for Black Hawk East when she was approached by the school’s coach, Bob Grabbe, at the Pepsi Classic, an exposure event in Peoria.

“He started talking to me and really seemed interested and I went up and visited,” Gadberry said. “It was really nice and it seemed like I could fit in well.”

Gadberry met her future teammates on the visit and felt like part of the team. She says she feels prepared to play college volleyball.

“I’m going to start lifting weights again and working out more so I’m stronger and more up to their level and everything,” she said. “I think with some more hard work I will be ready to play at a college level.”

Gadberry ranked second in the area in kills last season, posting 267. She also tallied 88 blocks and 245 digs, both ranking in the area’s top 20. Gadberry was a first-team all-conference player in both her junior and senior years.

The Meredosia senior recently applied to be a part of Quincy’s Blessing Hospital radiology program, and would start after two years at Black Hawk East.

But for now, she’s focused on volleyball.

“It’s awesome because everybody was asking me where I was going to go, what I wanted to do, and it was kind of scary,” Gadberry said. “I love knowing that this is what I’m going to do, and I’m going to have fun playing volleyball.”