Freshman Volleyball Sensation Brenna Garrigan Impacts Providence

Brenna Garrigan’s Journey

Freshman outside hitter Brenna Garrigan always planned to follow the high school path of her brothers, Brayden and Blake. By last fall, she knew she wanted to attend Providence. A pivotal moment in eighth grade at the Class 3A Washington Supersectional, where she watched the Celtics’ girls volleyball team qualify for state with a decisive victory, cemented her decision. She remembers the match vividly, saying, “It was really fun to watch. It was a great team. I couldn’t wait to be a part of it.”

Rising Star at Providence

At 5-foot-5, Garrigan is already a significant contributor to the team as a varsity rookie. Her prowess was displayed on Wednesday night when she recorded seven kills, leading Providence to a dominant 25-13 and 25-14 win over Andrew in Tinley Park. Kennady Kotowski added six kills, Olivia Healy provided 20 assists, Lily Lipke hit five aces, and Juju Batshon contributed four for Providence, which stands at 8-1 this season.

Garrigan’s versatility doesn’t end with volleyball. She plans to play both basketball and softball at Providence, staying busy across multiple sports. Despite her height, Providence coach Lee Rucinski recognized Garrigan’s volleyball talent early. He recalls, “Having a 5-5 player who can jump over me made it a lot easier to decide she can play in the front row.” Rucinski emphasizes his philosophy of placing the best athletes in varsity roles, stating, “Seven years ago, I told everybody we’re going to put the best girls in the program at the varsity level. If I pull up an underclassman, they are going to start. There’s no reason to bury an underclassman on the bench. That’s a bad philosophy.”

A Dual Threat Player

Garrigan also plays libero in club, displaying danger in both the back and front rows. Her skills impressed Rucinski early on. “She could have been our starting libero when she was in sixth grade,” he remarks. “Her ball control and volleyball IQ are off the charts, and you can see it in the way she started her volleyball career in these first nine games.”

In the recent match against Andrew, Garrigan led her team with 67 kills and 69 serve receptions, along with being second in digs and aces. Olivia Healy, impressed by Garrigan’s ability, said, “Where do I start? She’s amazing. I know that when I set her the ball, she’s going to do something with it. I never set her before, but our connection was fast and she picks up tempo so easily. And she can jump out of her shoes. It’s incredible to watch her on the court, and I’m excited to have the next two years with her.”

Overcoming Challenges

Garrigan was instrumental for Oak Prairie last season, guiding them to a third-place finish in Class 4A at the Illinois Elementary School Association state finals. Playing against older athletes in club seasons has prepared her for varsity challenges. Her mother, Jane, introduced her to volleyball when she coached a fourth-grade league team. “I was in kindergarten at the time and my mom said she would coach but wanted me to play with her team,” Garrigan recalls.

Despite questions about growth, Garrigan embraces challenges head-on, saying, “I love the challenge. I love the adversity with it. People come in and look at me and say, ‘Aw, you’re not very tall.’ I just love rising to the challenge and the adrenaline is what really gets me going.”