Chapin Gray will be trading in her maroon and gold jersey for a red and blue one soon.

At the request of Gonzaga University, Gray will graduate a semester early from high school so she can jump-start her Division I career in the spring. She will not only be a full-time student athlete but will also attend the university on a full-ride athletic scholarship.  

This is the first time that the volleyball program has ever asked a high school athlete to graduate early, and Gray is thrilled.

“When my coach from Gonzaga asked me if I would be interested in graduating early, I had butterflies in my stomach and I was super excited,” Gray said. “At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to graduate early, but the more I thought about it the more excited I got, and the more I wanted to do it.”

She committed to Gonzaga the summer after her sophomore year.

Gray, a 17-year-old Ahwatukee native, will be moving to Spokane, Wash., in January. She said she is nervous but excited to be on her own.

Mountain Pointe’s coach, Karen Gray, is also Gray’s mother. Karen is confident that her daughter will adjust quickly to her new surroundings.

“An increasing number of players are doing this because it gets them into the college groove and allows them to begin practicing with the team,” Karen said.

Gray also received offers from a handful of other colleges, including the University of Denver, University of Wyoming and the University of South Carolina.

Gray is of course doing well in school and led Mountain Pointe to an upset victory of Hamilton in the state 6A Conference semifinals.

Gray also has put in more than 100 hours of volunteer service. She continually demonstrates that, in many ways, she is the complete package.

Her schoolmate Sarah Ding is ecstatic for Gray and her volleyball career.

“She is always willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, which is why she can balance her academic and athletic careers so well,” Ding said. “She is an important part of the team and a great leader. It will be interesting to see who fills her shoes on the court.”

With high school almost behind her, Gray has a bright future ahead of her.

Gray has been playing volleyball for 10 years and has learned several things that she is looking forward to applying during her time at Gonzaga.

“I have learned that the team always comes first and that supporting your team and being positive is crucial,” Gray said.

(Chapin Gray)