Grace Witcher was the leading scorer for her team in the first tournament match against the hosts, the California State University, Stanislaus Warriors, in which the Gators won the match in five sets. As a freshman, she witnessed her teammates place the “San Francisco State” sticker on the California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament bracket board. But when she got the chance to be the one to place the team’s sticker on the board, she felt gratefulness, an emotion she will always carry with her. “Even if I wasn’t the one putting the sticker on the thing, I would have still been so excited and happy,” Witcher said. “I was just so grateful, not only for my performance in that game — it really was a team effort, and we needed that win to get us through.” Witcher began her journey at Norris Middle School in Bakersfield after being a gymnast in the early years of her life. She had the support of her parents, who also played sports at the collegiate level. Her mother, Janae Witche...