T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY SHADYSIDE SENIOR Gentry Brown (front row, center) signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her volleyball career at Oakland University in Michigan. Front row, from left, are Shadyside A.D. John Triveri, Tom Brown (Gentry’s father), Gentry Brown, Debbie Brown (Gentry’s mother) and Riley Brown (Gentry’s sister). Back row, from left, are Shadyside volleyball coach Eric Mercer, Club Gold Volleyball coaches Lindsay Huff and Joyce Piccolini.

SHADYSIDE — Gentry Brown found herself breathing a sigh of relief Friday morning when she signed her National Letter of Intent.

Quite simply, the college selection process was “long, stressful and hard,” according to the Shadyside volleyball standout.

However, now that it’s complete, Brown couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead as she prepares to join the volleyball program at Oakland University in suburban Detroit.

“I am really excited and I know that I made the right decision,” Brown said. “I visited there and it immediately felt like home and their roster fit me perfectly.”

Brown recently took a visit to the Oakland campus and had in-depth conversations with the coaching staff and basically made up her mind on the drive back to Ohio.

“The coaches are awesome,” Brown said. “It seemed like the right fit for me.”

The Golden Grizzlies, who compete in the Horizon League, are getting an impressive outside hitter. Brown surpassed the 1,000-career kill mark this season and finished with 1,167 for her illustrious career.

As the unquestioned leader of the Tigers this season, Brown had an impressive campaign. She finished with 371 kills, 41 blocks and 285 digs.

Brown played a key role in the team success the Tigers have enjoyed the last four years. She was part of two OVAC title teams (2020 and 2021) and also was a key contributor on the only district championship volleyball team in school history in 2020.

“I am proud of everything we accomplished,” Brown said. “My teammates definitely helped me to be able to achieve the things I did. I am really going to miss playing (for Shadyside).”

With the team success and her impressive statistics came a myriad of accolades. She was a three-time All-District 12 selection and player of the year this season. She was a multiple-time All-OVAC performer and All-MOVL selection. She was the OVAC’s Class 2A Player of the Year after her junior season.

To be able to get on the court as quickly as she hopes, Brown knows continued improvements are needed.

“College is a much faster pace, so I’ll have to adjust to that, and I feel with my club (volleyball) team I’ll be able to get there,” Brown said. “I feel like it will be easier for me to step in there after club season.”

As if the decision of which school to attend wasn’t challenging enough, Brown’s initial decision was tough, too. She had to figure out if she wanted to pursue volleyball or softball where she’s a multi-year standout for the Tigers as well.

“I wrestled with that decision for a few years, but as soon as I hit high school, I knew (volleyball) was what I wanted to do for four years in college,” Brown confessed.

Along with volleyball, Brown is a key member to Lady Tiger basketball team.

She actually admitted that next season, when she reports to Oakland, it’s going to be “really weird” to just be focusing on one sport for really the first time in her life.

Away from athletics, Brown has served as the president of her class for four seasons. She’s a member of the National Honor Society where she also serves as president.

Gentry, who is the daughter of Tom and Debbie Brown, plans to major in business.