Hermann鈥檚 Winkelmann continuing family legacy as she aims for third state volleyball title
HERMANN, Mo. (BVM) — The Winkelmann family name is well-known across the Missouri volleyball scene. As the youngest of three standout volleyball sisters, Grace Winkelmann is adding to the family legacy with her recent play on the court at Hermann High School.
Growing up in a family that lives and breathes volleyball, Winkelmann was playing ever since she could hold a ball. She was instantly hooked to the game after watching her two older sisters play and have success throughout their volleyball careers.
The Winkelmann family history in the sport of volleyball begins with mom, Lynn, who helped lead Hermann High School to their first ever state appearance. Years later, Grace鈥檚 oldest sister, Chelsea, 30, would play for the Bearcats as an outside hitter all four years of high school — winning a state championship in her sophomore year.
Soon after, Shelby Winkelmann, 28, would follow in the family鈥檚 footsteps and shine on the court at Hermann as well. She helped lead the Bearcats to state all four years she was there, winning championships in 2008 and 2010. Shelby would also go on to play two years of college volleyball at the University of Central Missouri.
Now, nearly a decade later, Grace has come along and proved she is just as good, and maybe even better than those family members who have played before her. But she would not have gotten here without her sisters, and wanted to achieve everything they did while growing up.
鈥淚 went to a lot of their games and watching them win and win state championships made me want to be like them someday,鈥� Grace said. 鈥淣ow, I always look to them for advice.鈥�
Grace doesn鈥檛 have to go far to seek out the advice of her sisters, as Shelby has returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach. Being able to share her success with her sister on the bench has made Grace鈥檚 career at Hermann all the more special.
鈥淚 love her as a coach,鈥� Grace said. 鈥淪he pushes me and is a lot harder on me during practice. She gives me good advice and I trust her.鈥�
The 17-year-old began playing organized volleyball while in fourth grade. Throughout her youth, she played with a local club team called Mid-State Force, which she credits for helping her develop into the player she is today.
But volleyball hasn鈥檛 been the senior鈥檚 only action on the court. Throughout her life, Grace has played basketball as well, and has continued to do so in high school. Last season as a junior, Grace took over at point guard for Hermann, averaging 11.3 points per game.
The volleyball court, however, is still where Grace has always shined. She is a middle hitter for the Bearcats, which was a brand new position for her as she entered high school. Over the years, Grace believes her best skills have become defense and passing. But kills has to also be in the mix, after the 17-year-old had an area-best 542 of them as a junior.
As a freshman, Grace primarily played junior varsity, but also was moved up to the varsity team at times. She watched from the bench as her team made it to the state tournament that year, finishing third. But as a sophomore, Grace became a full-time player. With help from the senior leadership on the team, the Bearcats won a state championship.
Grace became a fixture of Hermann鈥檚 volleyball team as a junior, where she continued to develop and emerge. As a leader of her team, she helped the Bearcats to yet another state title.
Going back-to-back is not an easy feat, and Grace is proud of what her team accomplished in both seasons. But during her junior campaign last year, many doubted that the Bearcats could repeat. Being able to show everyone that they could created a moment of satisfaction for the volleyball star.
鈥淲hen we won my sophomore year, it was emotional for me and I teared up,鈥� Grace explained. 鈥淚t was just because of all the hard work we put in day in and day out and we were on top. My junior year, everyone doubted us as a team because we lost a lot of seniors. People talked about how we wouldn鈥檛 be very good…I was just sick and tired of that. For us to win state again was like icing on the cake.鈥�
As a senior, Grace has the chance to pass Shelby鈥檚 mark, and win a third consecutive state title. But the 2020 season has been unlike any other due to COVID-19, and the virus created an especially tough start for the Bearcats.
With 13 girls on the roster, seven were quarantined to begin the season, leaving just six to play out on the court. After two more girls went out — leaving just four to play — Hermann ended up having to cancel a few games.
But with everyone now back and healthy, the Bearcats are finding their groove as they aim for a third straight championship. The goal every year for Hermann is to win it all, but doing it for the third time in her career would be a special achievement for Grace.
鈥淭he ultimate goal for us every year is to win state,鈥� Grace said. 鈥淚 really hope that we can get there. It鈥檚 not going to be easy and we鈥檙e going to have to focus and work hard. But it would be amazing and awesome to go out senior year being on top.鈥�
Whether she comes out with a third state title or not, Grace still has a bright future ahead in the sport. She will again follow in Shelby鈥檚 footsteps by going on to play college volleyball at the University of Central Missouri — choosing to play for the Jennies over several different schools, including Illinois State.
鈥淚 really like the campus there and it felt like home,鈥� Grace said about Central Missouri. 鈥淚 got to practice with them and meet with the coaches and it was just different. I was familiar with them because my sister went there and I鈥檓 really excited and ready for new experiences.鈥�
Grace is still undecided on what she will study in college, but is leaning towards a future career in the medical or criminal justice fields. While on the volleyball court, she hopes to play as a libero or outside hitter, while also helping to impact the program as her sister did many years before.
鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty cool,鈥� Grace said about following in Shelby鈥檚 footsteps. 鈥淚 know that everyone down there knows who she was and we can relate with that. It鈥檚 an honor to be playing at a school and the level that she did.鈥�
While a bright future awaits at Central Missouri, Grace knows there is still unfinished business to take care of at Hermann. A third-straight title would be a dream come true for the 17-year-old, but whether she achieves that or not, she knows she has left a lasting impact on her storied high school program.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been an honor to play for Hermann,鈥� Grace said. 鈥淓ver since I was little, I would go to all the volleyball camps and see all the past champions on the wall and you just want your name up there someday. Now that I have my name up there twice it鈥檚 awesome, and hopefully I can put it up there a third time.鈥�
