Seneca Valley graduate Anna DeGraaf led Grove City and the Presidents’ Athletic Conference this season with a .354 hitting percentage. Submitted Photo

GROVE CITY — For four years, Seneca Valley graduate Anna DeGraaf and Butler graduate Gabby Lucas played volleyball against each other twice a season.

Neither ever really knew the other — only the rival uniforms they wore.

They had no idea both were headed to Grove City College to continue their volleyball careers — this time as teammates.

Butler graduate Gabby Lucas finished her Grove City College volleyball career with 1,432 digs, No. 10 on the program’s all-time list. Submitted Photo

“I had already committed to Grove City,” DeGraaf, a middle hitter/blocker, recalled of her senior high school season. “We were at Butler for their senior night and when they introduced Gabby, they said she was headed to Grove City for volleyball as well.

“I thought ... hey, a future teammate, I’ll have to make it a point to meet up with her after the match.”

There was no such meeting.

The Golden Tornado defeated Seneca Valley that night, with Lucas — a setter/libero — having a big game against the Raiders.

“Our coach told me before the game, not to hit the ball toward her (Lucas), to keep it away from her,” DeGraaf said. “It felt like I was hitting it in her direction all night and she kept saving shots.

“I was so aggravated, so upset ... both teams slapped five after the match, but I didn’t want to talk to her.”

The pair has since made up for that lost occasion — and then some.

“It didn’t take us long to become good friends once we got to Grove City,” Lucas said. “We play totally different positions, but we share a real passion for volleyball. Our relationship just grew from there.

“Anna and I are best friends now. She’s become one of those friends I’ll have for the rest of my life.”

Neither of their volleyball careers got off to quick starts. Lucas’ mother is Butler varsity girls volleyball coach Meghan Lucas, so she’s been around the game her entire life. But she wasn’t always a defensive specialist.

“I remember when I was first asked to do that,” Lucas said. “I was a little uneasy, not sure how I’d back there. Then I routinely started digging balls out, setting up plays, and I realized, I could be pretty good at this.”

DeGraaf always played in the front row, but wasn’t always well thought of as an offensive threat.

“When I first started at Seneca, the coach told the setter not to send the ball my way, to go to somebody else,” DeGraaf said. “At that point, I realized how much I had to work at my game.

“I love volleyball and I wanted to keep going.”

DeGraaf and Lucas both became four-year starters at Grove City. Lucas ranks 10th on the Wolverines’ all-time list with 1,432 digs. She had 83 assists this past season as well. DeGraaf led the Presidents’ Athletic Conference with a .354 percentage this season and ranked second in the league with 95 blocks.

She averaged a team-leading 2.39 kills per set and was named All-PAC for the fourth time. Her 318 career blocks are seventh all-time at Grove City.

“Anna became such a force for us and her and I developed a rapport on the court,” Lucas said. “We meshed so well because we knew each other so well.”

Grove City finished 19-11 this season, reaching the PAC Tournament. Over their four years together at GCC, DeGraaf and Lucas were part of teams with a composite 63-39 overall record, 30-17 in PAC play.

Now both are moving on. DeGraaf has accepted a job with an accounting firm in Pittsburgh. Lucas will graduate with a degree in education and is looking to become a teacher and coach.

“Teaching and coaching volleyball with my mother at Butler would be a dream,” Lucas said.

One thing is certain: DeGraaf and Lucas will never be too far apart from each other.

“Gabby is one of the best friends I’ve had,” DeGraaf said. “We’ll always stay in touch. It was definitely volleyball that brought us together.”