Over the past decade throughout Westmoreland County, perhaps no last name has been more prevalent in girls basketball than Gribble. Alayna captured multiple WPIAL titles and forged a path to Division I basketball, while Erica Gribble has already garnered headlines as a high school freshman. Olivia Gribble, the middle sister, has also enjoyed incredible success on the hardwood, first at Norwin High School, and now as a focal point at Marietta College. Olivia Gribble is in the spotlight this week for the latest edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Gribble was a contributor for Norwin as a freshman in 2016-17, as she helped the Knights achieve a record of 17-6, including 8-2 in section play. In the WPIAL Class 6A postseason, Norwin ousted Butler Area, but fell to Mount Lebanon in the quarterfinals.

The next season, the Knights compiled a mark of 12-10, once again going 8-2 in the section. After defeating Pine-Richland, though, Norwin was eliminated once again by Mount Lebanon in the 6A quarters.

With Gribble as a driving force in 2018-19, Norwin went 23-3, including 13-1 in the section. In the WPIAL 6A bracket, the Knights defeated Mount Lebanon, but fell to North Allegheny in the semifinals. However, Norwin advanced to the PIAA postseason, and claimed wins against Altoona Area and Northampton Area. The stellar campaign ended with a loss to Peters Township in the state quarterfinals. For her play, Gribble earned All-State accolades.

In her senior season, Gribble once again garnered All-State honors. She propelled the Knights to a record of 18-5, including 13-1 in the section, but Norwin fell to Upper Saint Clair in the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals.

Following her graduation, Gribble opted to continue her basketball career at Marietta College. As a freshman guard in 2020-21, she played in 12 games, including 10 starts. In those contests, Gribble averaged 10.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, dishing out 14 assists and racking up eight steals and five blocks. During the abbreviated conference-only schedule, the Pioneers went 6-6 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), falling to the University of Mount Union in the OAC quarterfinals.

Last season, Gribble appeared in all 28 games, starting all but one of them. She posted 10.5 points and 1.6 boards per contest, while adding 27 assists, 26 steals, and 10 blocks. For her play, Gribble was honored as All-OAC Second-Team. Marietta collectively enjoyed a strong season, as the Pioneers went 22-6, including 14-4 in the OAC. Despite a loss to Mount Union in the conference tournament quarterfinals, Marietta advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Pioneers bested Wittenberg University in the first round, but lost to Hope College in the second round.

This season, Gribble has started 10 games, averaging 10.0 points and 2.5 rebounds, while compiling nine assists, nine steals, and a pair of blocks. Marietta has posted a record of 7-4, including 2-2 in the OAC.

Olivia took time from her schedule to respond to questions about her offensive success at the college level, her relationships with her sisters, and her favorite holiday.

Q: You have averaged near or above double figures in scoring in each of your three college seasons. What have been the biggest factors in your offensive success?

A: One of the biggest factors in my offensive success is the belief my coaches and teammates have in my scoring abilities. My coaches have also incorporated sets that allow me to get good looks for myself and my teammates. I've also been able to work on my own game and get extra workouts and shots up in the gym.

Q: What have been your biggest areas of growth as a player during your time at Marietta?

A: My biggest areas of growth as a player during my time at Marietta have been doing a better job of driving to the hoop and rebounding. I've also gotten better on the defensive end.

Q: You earned All-Conference accolades for your play last season. What did that honor mean to you?

A: My All-Conference honor was a tangible way to reinforce my confidence and love for the game as a player.

Q: Your team enjoyed great success last season. What were the key aspects of that run?

A: Some key aspects of our success last season was our chemistry and leadership on our team. We held each other to a high level of accountability, and that allowed us to make a run in the NCAA Tournament.

Q: What team and individual goals did you establish for this season?

A: Some team goals we established for this season are to win the OAC Tournament and make a run in the NCAA Tournament again. Some individual goals I established this season are to earn First-Team All-OAC and average enough points to be on track to score my 1,000th point by my senior year.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Marietta?

A: My decision to attend Marietta was influenced by Marietta's Petroleum Engineering program, along with the basketball program, coaches, and Marietta community.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: I major in petroleum engineering, and my ideal future profession is to be a production engineer.

Q: What has been your most enjoyable college class?

A: My most enjoyable college class was Thermodynamics, because even though the content was hard, the professor made it enjoyable.

Q: What is the biggest key to juggling your athletic and academic responsibilities?

A: My biggest key to juggle athletics and academics is time management. Keeping everything organized and completed in a timely fashion is what helps me to be the most successful, on and off the court.

Q: You were part of a successful program at Norwin High School under coach Brian Brozeski. What are his best qualities?

A: Coach Brozeski always believed in my leadership abilities on the court and cared about all of my teammates, not just as players, but as people, too.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: My fondest high school memory is the basketball trip we took to Washington, DC my senior year. My entire team bonded during the few days we were there.

Q: Who was the best individual you played against in high school?

A: Lizzy Groetsch (from North Allegheny).

Q: Your older and younger sisters are also standout basketball players. What is your relationship like with them, and how have you aided each other in your athletic careers?

A: My sisters and I are very close, both on and off the court. Although we didn't get to play together on the same team, we would work out with each other any chance we got. My sisters have pushed me to be my best player I could be and always supported me at my games.

Q: What is a little-known fact about you or a hidden talent you possess?

A: I can juggle!

Q: What is your favorite holiday? Why?

A: My favorite holiday is Christmas because I get to spend quality time with my family and do traditions like making cookies with my sisters.