Huffman – Hargrave Falcons Volleyball Preview
The Huffman-Hargrave Falcons volleyball team is coming off a successful season where they finished with a record of 45 – 5 after a tough loss to China Spring in the regional semi-finals. The success comes with no surprise to this high school program that has combined for a record of 103 – 15 over the course of the past 3 years. This year, however, they will have a new leader at the helm as Coach Shelbee Ravlin is taking over the program with Coach Tammy White’s departure from the district after 6 years.
I was able to speak with Coach Ravlin about Coach White’s impact on the program over the past 6 years.
“Coach White was a phenomenal leader”, Ravlin Said. “She was very inspiring and a great motivator. She has always been able to get the players to buy into what she believes.”
Coach Ravlin, who coached under Coach White for the past 2 years, hopes to continue the program’s success and believes, “watching and learning these things from Coach White will benefit myself and the team as we move forward,” Ravlin explained.
The Hargrave Falcons have had continued success year in and year out. Coach Ravlin was asked about the success and how they have been able to maintain a high level of play each year.
“Each year as the younger athletes enter the high school program, they want to be part of that experience. It starts with the leadership and the buy in to the program. We have always had great leaders on the team who set the tone for group coming in.” Ravlin said.
After the tough loss to end the season last year to China Spring in the regional playoffs, Coach Ravlin believes the experience her young team was able to obtain will be invaluable to this season’s success.
“I think it was good for them to experience what it was like playing in the regional tournament at such a young age. They were able to see what competition is like at a high level and this will benefit them moving forward by giving them an idea of what they must work towards.” Ravlin stated.
The Hargrave Falcons will be set to kick off the season with scrimmages against Pasadena Memorial (Aug. 5) and Kingwood Park (Aug. 6th) before getting the regular season started against Nederland on August 9th.
The Hargrave Falcons will have an experienced team returning 8 varsity players this season to include 4 returning seniors on the roster. After losing the district Co-MVP (2021 Graduate) Kristen Kruger, the younger players will be stepping in to fill the big shoes she left behind in the program.
Senior, Brooke Guerrero will be returning for her senior season. Last season she was awarded 1st team all-district honors. Guerrero will play a huge role offensively and defensively. She led the team in digs and aces last year. Guerrero is a smart player who knows the game very well. “Her leadership will have a huge impact on our team this year”. Ravlin said.
Senior, Erin Drvenkar last season was awarded 1st team all-district honors. Drvenkar will be the starting setter and right-side hitter for the Falcons. She led the team in assists last year and was one of the top kill leaders on the team.
Senior, Mckenzie Anderson was also awarded 1st team all-district honors. Anderson will be the starting middle who led the team in block last year. Coach Ravlin stated, “Having her quick arm swing in the middle will be crucial for us this year.”
Sophomore, Carli Briese was awarded “Newcomer of the year” last season. Briese will be a right-side hitter and will have a huge role offensively as well as putting up a strong block against opponents outside hitters.
SPORTCAST SPOTLIGHT:
Will the Falcons be able to continue to build upon the success and experience they gained in the regional semi-finals? Will that youth and experience pay off for a deeper playoff run this season? There are a lot of people, myself included, that believe the Falcons are poised for a deep run this year through the 4A ranks.
