Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: photo by John Konstantaras
Davis Announces Signings of Navarrete and Wright
11/10/2022 10:49:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern volleyball head coach Shane Davis announced the additions of Gigi Navarrete and Drew Wright on Friday afternoon.
Gigi Navarrete
5'6" • Defensive Specialist/Libero
Palos Heights, Ill. / Mother McAuley Liberal Arts HS
Follow Gigi: Twitter | Instagram
High School: Ranked the No. 51 prospect in the country by PrepVolleyball.com and the No. 2 overall player in Illinois by PrepDig … Named an AVCA All-American this year … Played for the No. 16 ranked high school in the country, according to MaxPreps … Named all-state in 2021 and 2022 … Recognized as the GCAC Conference Player of the Year in 2022 … Named JVA All-National in 2021 and 2022 … Member of USA Volleyball 17 Open Championship All-Tournament Team in 2022 … Will take Mother McAuley to the state tournament this season … Averaging 6.4 d/s with over 570 digs this season … Last year averaged 6/2 d/s on 598 total digs … Earlier this season, had a career-high 35 digs against Assumption (Ky.) … Played varsity all four years and served as a team captain in two seasons … Played club for seven seasons for 1st Alliance and claimed a national championship in the USA Volleyball open division.
Personal: Born Genevieve Navarrete … Parents are Todd and Ellen Navarrete … Mom, Ellen played volleyball at Providence … Twin brother Jimmy will play basketball at Loras College (Iowa) … Member of the National Honor Society and holds an IHSA Special Olympics Youth Leadership Certificate … Chose Northwestern over Oregon, Boston College and Syracuse … Intended major is undecided.
What Davis is Saying about Navarrete: "Gigi is a sparkplug that is an agile defender and ferocious competitor. Gigi's elite in her ability to see the game and how hard she competes will be infectious in our gym. She exudes a true love for the game and her teammates every time she's on the floor."
Drew Wright
5'11" • Outside Hitter
Hermosa Beach, Calif. / Mira Costa HS
Follow Drew: Instagram
High School: Helped Mira Costa to a No. 3 national ranking according to MaxPreps and a 34-4 record this season with a 10-0 league record… Part of Bay League championships in 2021 and 2022 … Was the CIF runner up in 2022 … Was named the Bay League Most Outstanding Player in 2021 … As a senior totaled 354 kills, 27 blocks, 184 digs and 19 service aces … Her junior year posted 246 kills, 18 blocks, 150 digs and 15 service aces … Plays club volleyball for Sunshine Volleyball Club… Selected All-Tournament Team at the USA Volleyball Championship in 2021.
Personal: Mother is Jenny Elkin, father is Michael Wright and stepfather is Michael Elkin … Chose Northwestern over USC and UCLA … Competed against current Wildcat Sienna Noordermeer … Four-year honor roll member and four-time National Charity League … Anticipated major at Northwestern is psychology.
Northwestern has defeated three ranked opponents this season and continues Big Ten play at Michigan at 6 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 11.
Gigi Navarrete
5'6" • Defensive Specialist/Libero
Palos Heights, Ill. / Mother McAuley Liberal Arts HS
Follow Gigi: Twitter | Instagram
High School: Ranked the No. 51 prospect in the country by PrepVolleyball.com and the No. 2 overall player in Illinois by PrepDig … Named an AVCA All-American this year … Played for the No. 16 ranked high school in the country, according to MaxPreps … Named all-state in 2021 and 2022 … Recognized as the GCAC Conference Player of the Year in 2022 … Named JVA All-National in 2021 and 2022 … Member of USA Volleyball 17 Open Championship All-Tournament Team in 2022 … Will take Mother McAuley to the state tournament this season … Averaging 6.4 d/s with over 570 digs this season … Last year averaged 6/2 d/s on 598 total digs … Earlier this season, had a career-high 35 digs against Assumption (Ky.) … Played varsity all four years and served as a team captain in two seasons … Played club for seven seasons for 1st Alliance and claimed a national championship in the USA Volleyball open division.
Personal: Born Genevieve Navarrete … Parents are Todd and Ellen Navarrete … Mom, Ellen played volleyball at Providence … Twin brother Jimmy will play basketball at Loras College (Iowa) … Member of the National Honor Society and holds an IHSA Special Olympics Youth Leadership Certificate … Chose Northwestern over Oregon, Boston College and Syracuse … Intended major is undecided.
What Davis is Saying about Navarrete: "Gigi is a sparkplug that is an agile defender and ferocious competitor. Gigi's elite in her ability to see the game and how hard she competes will be infectious in our gym. She exudes a true love for the game and her teammates every time she's on the floor."
Drew Wright
5'11" • Outside Hitter
Hermosa Beach, Calif. / Mira Costa HS
Follow Drew: Instagram
High School: Helped Mira Costa to a No. 3 national ranking according to MaxPreps and a 34-4 record this season with a 10-0 league record… Part of Bay League championships in 2021 and 2022 … Was the CIF runner up in 2022 … Was named the Bay League Most Outstanding Player in 2021 … As a senior totaled 354 kills, 27 blocks, 184 digs and 19 service aces … Her junior year posted 246 kills, 18 blocks, 150 digs and 15 service aces … Plays club volleyball for Sunshine Volleyball Club… Selected All-Tournament Team at the USA Volleyball Championship in 2021.
Personal: Mother is Jenny Elkin, father is Michael Wright and stepfather is Michael Elkin … Chose Northwestern over USC and UCLA … Competed against current Wildcat Sienna Noordermeer … Four-year honor roll member and four-time National Charity League … Anticipated major at Northwestern is psychology.
Northwestern has defeated three ranked opponents this season and continues Big Ten play at Michigan at 6 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 11.
Players Mentioned
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