All American Girl: Abby VanderWal

It’s hard to fathom how much high school senior Abby Vander Wal has accomplished. But she’s not your average senior. Standing at 6-foot-3, she’s an absolute menace on the volleyball court—racking up over 1,000 kills during her high school career.

Abby’s résumé is nothing short of extraordinary. She’s played on the U21 and U19 USA Volleyball Teams, winning three gold medals and earning MVP honors at the U19 World Championship. She’s been named an All-American, Gatorade Player of the Year, and ranked as the second-best high school volleyball player in the nation for the Class of 2025. In November, she officially signed to play at the University of Texas—the national champions two out of the last three years—all while maintaining a weighted 3.61 GPA at Timothy.

At just 18 years old, Abby has competed on some of the most prestigious volleyball stages across the globe, from Croatia to Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. But when asked about her favorite place to play, there’s no hesitation: “The WAC,” she says. “You can’t find this anywhere else. The community dives all in, the facilities are tremendous, and we’re so blessed to play here.”

The Ward Athletic Center—nicknamed the WAC—has been home to the Trojans since it opened in 2019. With a capacity to seat 1,200 fans, it was packed to standing-room-only the night the Trojans swept Chicago Latin in the Super-Sectionals, punching their ticket to State.

“The Super-Sectional game was my highlight,” Abby recalls. “The atmosphere, the support from the community, and how our team came together—it was unforgettable.”

That night, and at every big game, one song became a defining anthem: Praise (The Lord Oh My Soul) by Elevation Worship. Between sets, the song played over the loudspeakers, and soon students, parents, and even elementary kids were dancing and singing along.

“It started one night when we were tense during a match,” Abby shares. “Coach Kellough said, ‘Come on, it’s Praise the Lord! You dance to this on the bus.’ So we all started dancing. It was the perfect reset to shake off the nerves and just have fun with my teammates.”

The tradition caught fire, spreading to fans and younger students. “It was the coolest thing,” Abby says. “Over 1,000 fans were there, dancing and singing. The energy was unreal, and it felt like the whole community was behind us.”

Hometown Hero

“I knew Abby was the real deal when she was in middle school,” says Head Coach Scott Piersma. Abby earned a starting spot on varsity as a freshman and quickly became a standout. Her height and skill grew in tandem, making her a formidable force on the court.

Even with countless national accolades, Abby always found her way back to the WAC, excited to play on Timothy’s varsity team. “She’s experienced world championships and MVP titles, but her genuine excitement to play for Timothy has never wavered,” Piersma remarks.

Abby credits much of her growth to Piersma’s mentorship. “Coach Piersma has shaped me as a player and a person,” she says. “He’s a strong Christian leader who’s vulnerable, takes risks, and goes deep in our team devotionals.”

The Trojans had a stellar season, finishing third at State despite a tough semifinal loss. Abby’s leadership was instrumental. “This season was special,” she reflects. “Our team’s chemistry and how we pushed each other made all the difference. We were all in it for each other, and that meant everything.”

Piersma notes Abby’s growth as a leader. “She’s a premier leader who steps up when it matters most,” he says. “Her commitment to her teammates was vital to our success.”

“Timothy taught me how to be a leader. It’s about taking risks and going out of your way to do stuff for others. I’m so grateful for the people who showed me what that looks like.”

The Journey to Texas

Growing up in Illinois, Abby initially considered Big Ten schools. But a camp visit to the University of Texas changed everything. “I didn’t know much about Texas volleyball,” she admits. “But as soon as I got there, I felt something different. The culture, the camaraderie, the coaches—it was everything I wanted in a college.”

On June 15, 2023—the first day she could officially commit—Abby chose Texas. She signed her national letter of intent this past fall, eager to join the 2022 and 2023 national champions.

“It’s incredible knowing I’ll have the chance to compete for a national championship,” Abby says. “It gives me chills. I’m hungry and ready to go.”

A Future Beyond the Court

While volleyball has defined much of Abby’s life, her passion for helping others drives her future plans. She intends to major in Speech and Language Pathology at Texas, inspired by her younger brother, Jake, who has Down syndrome and autism and is mostly nonverbal.

“I grew up watching Jake’s speech therapy sessions,” she shares. “His therapist, Miss Jess, made such a positive impact on him. I want to do the same for other families.”

Abby credits Timothy Christian for shaping her into a leader. “Timothy taught me how to be a leader,” she says. “It’s about taking risks and going out of your way to do stuff for others. I’m so grateful for the people who showed me what that looks like.”

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Abby Vander Wal Career Highlights

• Gatorade Player of the Year for Illinois
• Under Armour All-American & Team Captain
• Champaign News-Gazette Player of the Year & All-State selection
• IVCA All-State
• AVCA All-Region, All-American, and National High School Player of the Year Finalist
• Conference MVP & All-Area honoree
• USA Volleyball U21 National Team:
• Gold Medalist at the 2024 NORCECA Continental Championships (Canada)
• USA Volleyball U19 National Team – Gold Medalist at the Pan Am Cup, Gold Medalist and MVP at the World Championship
• USAV Junior National Championships: Named to the 17 Open All-Tournament Team & Earned All-American Honors (Junior Year)
• PrepVolleyball.com 17U First Team 
• All-American
• JVA All-National Team Selection