By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

CENTRE – Cherokee County High School volleyball coach Tiffany Rieger remembers when senior middle/outside hitter Nevaeh Gaidurgis tried out as a seventh grader. Even back then, Rieger knew she had a special player who had a lot of potential.

“We had eight seniors who graduated that year and we were trying to figure out how we were going to try and fill those holes,” Rieger said. “We knew she was athletic. She comes from an athletic momma (Tadshi Dupree Gaidurgis). She’s respectful. She’s smart. We were like ‘Sign her up.’”

Gaidurgis has certainly lived up to her potential.

From a team that posted to nine wins to last season’s 51-9 squad, in which her final kill clinched a Class 4A state championship, Gaidurgis has been an integral part of the Lady Warriors’ success on the court.

Last season, Gaidurgis collected 508 kills, 277 digs, 59 aces, 43 blocks, and 29 assists. She is second in school history in career kills (1,968) and second in career blocks (226).

“From that (tryout) day on, she’s done nothing but work her tail off. She’s made such a big difference in our program,” Rieger said. “I couldn’t begin to start rolling off the top of my head all the awards and accolades she’s gotten over the years in multiple sports. She’s deserved every one of them. She has definitely left her legacy on our program.”

That legacy Gaidurgis leaves behind is the closing of one chapter, but it’s also the beginning of a new one for her.

Gaidurgis signed a volleyball scholarship with Division III Brevard College of North Carolina on Tuesday morning at the Cherokee County High School library.

Gaidurgis thanked her coaches and teammates for helping her reach her dream of playing college volleyball.

“It’s going to be very sad to leave Cherokee County,” Gaidurgis said. “I have a special bond with all of these girls and all of my coaches, but I cannot wait to start a new chapter. I know they’ll be with me every step of the way.

“They’ve really helped me through everything. It’s hard to come to a team full of juniors and seniors, but I’m glad they helped me every step of the way.”

Players like Gaidurgis, Rieger said, are one of the reasons she loves coaching volleyball.

“This is something she’s been wanting to do and has been working for. It’s just a blessing to be able to see it come to fruition,” Rieger said.  “It’s a big accomplishment for her. She’s in love with the school and she says they have a good program for what she’s wanting to major in. It just kind of all fell together.”

Like Rieger was several years ago, Brevard is excited to get the caliber player and person Gaidurgis is.

“We, as a coaching staff, are thrilled about Nevaeh’s decision to continue her volleyball career here at Brevard College,” Brevard College assistant volleyball coach and recruiting coordinator Eric Friedt said in a statement. “Bringing in not only a high-caliber volleyball player, but also an incredible person, is what our program is built on. We are confident that she will raise the standard of play in our gym, and we look forward to welcoming her to campus this fall.”

Much like her early days with the Lady Warriors, Gaidurgis will be tasked with turning the Tornadoes into a force on the floor.

Brevard, which competes in the USA South Athletic Conference, is coming off a 7-24 season.

“At first they wanted me to be a middle, but then they recruited another middle hitter, and now they’re trying to put me at the pins,” Gaidurgis said. “I could be outside or inside, or I can just be in the middle. I was a middle from eighth grade to my sophomore year, and I hit right side during travel, so it’s helpful (to be versatile).”

Gaidurgis may not wow the opponents at first glance, but Rieger said her game makes them take notice.

“She might not be the one you’re in fear of. She’s not a very loud personality, but the minute she steps on the floor and takes that first swing, you’re going to pay attention,” Rieger said. “She’s always been one who has stepped up for us the most in big matches. You obviously saw that in the state finals with her being named MVP. She was our go-to. Vae is one who doesn’t say a lot, but her game speaks a lot.”