This week's peak performer: Brianne Vande Griend, CSCS

Brianne Vande Griend can remember losing — just not in volleyball.

Vande Griend and her Colorado Springs Christian School teammates didn’t drop a game in five state tournament matches on their way to winning a sixth consecutive Class 3A state title.

“I remember last year how horrible it was when we lost a basketball regional championship by six points, but we’ve never really had that with volleyball,” she said. “All our friends just told us they would come up to watch us win the championship. … They all just assumed we’d win it.”

The Lions (30-0) were up to the challenge, and the 6-foot middle recorded 14 kills and a team-high 18 digs in the title match.

QUICK HITS

Why did you choose to play at Alabama?
I was on a tour visiting some schools on the East Coast, and Alabama’s coaches were so good. The girls just made me feel like I was already part of the team.

What Web site is your homepage?
Facebook
 
What is your favorite movie?
I love “A Walk to Remember” and also “Stomp the Yard.”

Do you have a pet peeve?
I hate it when you’re playing and the other team rolls the ball under the net really slowly while you’re waiting to serve. You just want to keep the game going.

Do you have a good luck charm?
Well, at state we started wearing these sweat bands, and then we just kept with it all the way through. Maybe they were good luck.

What did you do after the championship game?
Well, we normally all go to Fuddruckers, but they were closed since it was so late. So our parents ended up getting us this huge stretch Hummer limo and we went to Chili’s on the way home.