Prior to Owens: 2005 Genoa High School graduate, Genoa, Ohio, where she earned First Team and Honorable Mention All-Suburban Lakes League, First Team All-District and Second Team All-Ohio honors. Gerkensmeyer was named District Player of the Year in volleyball and a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. In addition, her twin sister, Laura, is a member of the Express volleyball program.