oct7

Dobie High School’s sophomore volleyball player Gabby Romero is a tough competitor on more than just the court.

In June, she was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma. Gabby’s mother, Edna, said her daughter then had her kidney removed and was given several rounds of chemotherapy and was put on blood thinners, which kept her from being able to try out for volleyball in August. Later that month, another mass was found in her liver and the whole strategy of her treatment was changed. The new treatment allowed her to be taken off the blood thinners and she was able to join her volleyball teammates.

And since Gabby has taken court again on Dobie’s junior varsity, neither cancer or a blazing spike from an opposing player can knock her off stride.

So, it’s no wonder that she has played in every match in October – and she is preparing for a match with Deer Park this Tuesday, Oct. 14. When the varsity takes the court later that evening they have a tribute in store for Gabby.

Dobies Varsity team is dedicating their match in honor of Gabby and has dubbed it the “Gabby Game.” Gabby’s favorite color is pink, so during the varsity match, both teams will be playing in pink uniforms and we will use a pink volleyball, as a tribute to Gabby. All ticket sales will go to Gabby and her family. The freshman “A” game will start at 4:30 p.m., followed by the JV and freshman “B” games at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity game at 6:30 p.m.

“She is an inspiration to her teammates and to all of us who know her,” said Joe Sabatell, head volleyball coach. “Gabby is determined to not let anything hold her back and she is playing a major role on our JV team.”

Sabatell said that Gabby was a standout player on Dobie’s freshman team last year.

“She is a good student, a good athlete and a great person,” he said. “When she sets out to achieve a goal, she puts everything into it.”

With the obstacles that Gabby has overcome, Sabatell said he felt compelled to do something to honor her.

“Gabby has been through so much and has overcome unthinkable obstacles,” he said. “She gives her whole heart in everything she does and we felt it was only right to do something special.”