Kelly Walsh volleyball star Gia Ireland commits to CSUN

Gia Ireland signed a letter of intent to play volleyball for California State University Northridge on Thursday.

The signing ceremony took place at Kelly Walsh High School. Ireland’s teammates, family, and friends gathered to watch the announcement. The senior plans to leave the Kelly Walsh Trojans program after graduation.

Ireland has competed for the Trojans throughout her high school career. The team recently captured its third consecutive WHSAA State Championship. She also played for the NORCO Volleyball Club, which won the Girls Junior National Championships. Ireland was named the Division 4A Best Player of the Year this year.

Ireland said she chose Northridge because she saw herself fitting in with the team culture. "Their team is a family and that’s something that I really wanted," she said.

Jeff Barkell, the head volleyball coach at Kelly Walsh, praised Ireland’s character off the court. "She’s got really solid leadership skills and the ability to make people around her feel good about what they’re doing," Barkell said. He noted that she makes every teammate feel they can play at her level.

Ireland began playing volleyball competitively at age seven. Her mother played Division I volleyball in college, which exposed her to the sport early. She has also played softball, basketball, and gymnastics, but she said volleyball allowed her to reach her full potential.

At Northridge, Ireland plans to study radiology. She aims to work in medicine and be a positive influence on people’s lives. She looked forward to facing new coaching styles and competition in the fall.