Andrea Gass said she was part of something special during her days as an SC4 student-athlete.

The 2000 Imlay City High School graduate had a major impact on the SC4 volleyball program, which went 137-9 with an NJCAA Division II national title and a third-place finish in back-to-back seasons. She earned First Team All-American honors in 2001.

Gass, a four-year letter winner in volleyball and basketball at Imlay City, grew up in the SC4 gym, playing in coach Terry Gamble’s Blue Water Volleyball Club since she was 14.

“I was interested in staying close to home,” Gass said. “I have three younger sisters and wanted to support them in their athletics and academics, while also wanting to play both sports in college. Terry presented me with a great opportunity to do that.

“When I committed to SC4 for both volleyball and basketball, I was excited to play with some of my best competition from the area. Ladies from surrounding high schools who were my biggest competition were now going to be my teammates.

“The 2000 team chemistry was something special that I value even today. It was hard for my basketball season to compare to such a successful volleyball season. And, at the end of my first year, I decided to concentrate on volleyball. I forwent a second year on the basketball team to focus on my studies and the possibility of a collegiate volleyball experience beyond SC4.”

Gass played middle hitter and outside hitter her sophomore year on a team that was inexperienced with only two returning players from the previous championship season.

“I truly enjoyed the closeness of me and my teammates,” Gass said. “Many of them also chose to play here for the proximity to hometowns and family. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to grow as a teammate and as an individual during my time as a Skipper and part of the Skipper family. SC4 life!”

Gass, who had dozens of offers to play at four-year universities, elected to have rotator cuff surgery. She now lives with her husband, Aaron, and their two daughters in Bristow, Virginia.