Family Legacy Continues at COS from Superintendent to Volleyball Star

Visalia, Calif. — Gabi Crookshanks is a sophomore at College of the Sequoias but she and her family are no strangers to COS. Crookshanks is the great granddaughter of former College of the Sequoias President and Superintendent, Dr. Ivan Crookshanks who served at COS from 1950 until his retirement in 1985.

Ivan would certainly be proud of what his great grandaughter did last season. In 2015, Crookshanks played in all 19 matches and finished the season second in kills with 162. However, if took the special attention of Volleyball head coach Kim Rix, to get Crookshanks where she is today. "I didn't have my mind set on anywhere. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do yet and Coach Kim called me and asked if I wanted to play. That was probably the best decision I ever made."

Crookshanks came to Sequoias from Exeter Union High School where she lettered her last two years. Crookshanks played in 150 sets and had 218 kills during her time with the Monarchs.

Last season was a successful one for Crookshanks as well as her team. The Giants finished 12-7 overall with a 10-4 conference record. The women's season ended a little sooner than they wanted as they lost to Diablo Valley 3-0 in the first round of the playoffs. "We came with our heads a little high and we thought it was going to be easy," Crookshanks said. "Losing was awful and we don't want to experience that again this season. As a team, we are going to get first in league and do well in playoffs."

Head coach Kim Rix believes Crookshanks is a vital player to the team with such a young core. "Gabi is so good for our team and for our program," Rix said. "She is so mature and such a great leader. Outside hitters are your go-to players. She's going to be even more incredible down the stretch of this season."

So far this season Crookshanks has 104 kills and only 11 errors. She has been a key contributor in leading the Giants to a perfect 6-0 conference record and she would like to continue her volleyball career at a four year university next season. COS Volleyball currently sits 9-3 overall and 6-0 in Central Valley Conference play. The Giants will next play at home on Friday, October 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the COS Porter Field House against Reedley College.

College of the Sequoias Community College District is a two-year California community college offering educational and enrichment programs for the residents of its district in Tulare and Kings counties. In addition to the campus in Visalia, COS operates a full-service center in Hanford that is home to the college's police and fire academies. COS also opened its Tulare College Center in January 2013. It is a full-service college center and the home of COS' agriculture and other programs. For more information about COS, please visit our website.