Megan Grampo and Piper Gallaher have a natural chemistry on the volleyball court.
Close friends since they were 8 years old, the Grayslake Central seniors are in their final season playing together.
Grampo, an outside hitter, said their friendship is evident in matches for the Rams (8-6) but points out that its roots are in another sport.
“I started playing volleyball in third grade, but Piper and I weren’t ever on a (volleyball) team together until our freshman year,” Grampo said. “We actually played soccer together for many years before volleyball.”
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A middle hitter, Gallaher said she and Grampo are inseparable, especially during the volleyball season. That closeness pays off in tense moments on the court, she said.
“When I say Megan and I are best friends, I mean it,” Gallaher said. “We hang out every weekend and talk to each other all the time. On the court, it’s just the same as off the court. I think being able to be in the front row is even better too. We set up our blocks together and just overall work so well with each other.”
Grampo noted they know when they “need to stay focused.”
“We both have the mentality of working now, laughing later,” she said.
Grayslake Central coach Arian Colton said Grampo and Gallaher are the driving force behind the Rams’ solid start this season.
“They are great friends, support each other, so both together you couldn’t ask anything more from senior leaders,” she said. “Megan is always leading us in kills, while Piper does the intangibles. They both are great leaders. That sets the tone for everything because both are competitors and like to win. They both come to the gym every day to work.”
The 6-foot-2 Grampo, who remains undecided about playing volleyball in college, is a one-sport athlete but also competes in the club circuit. She had a match-best 10 kills, including the winner off a set from Maya Cartee, in a 25-18, 22-25, 25-20 victory against Buffalo Grove on Sept. 2.
“Megan is a really talented volleyball player, is explosive and creative and has really good instincts and can play all the way around,” Colton said. “It’s nice to have her consistency, and she can score points from the service line, plays excellent defense and is an excellent serve receiver. She’s the complete package, though not physically imposing, but a real force.”
Gallaher also is an impact player in basketball and soccer. She started taking volleyball more seriously in high school.
“Piper is a really strong athlete,” Colton said. “She’s not a very trained volleyball player, but her athletic instincts can’t be replicated. She moves laterally fast, is a good jumper and gets to balls you can’t coach.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.