Coach Dane Hendrix

Dane Hendryx, volleyball coach for Booker T. Washington is a major sports fanatic. But over a decade ago, he discovered that volleyball was his true passion. He has coached a team to a national championship, and two seasons ago he led the Booker T. Washington volleyball team to their first state appearance in twenty-two years. You love everything from NASCAR to Golf how did you come to coach women's volleyball? - I started playing sand volleyball eleven years ago for college intramurals because I got sick of basketball and I wanted to have something else to do with my time. Then I moved to Tulsa and I started playing court volleyball, and really enjoyed it. In your first season as the head coach at Booker T. Washington you took them to State for the first time in twenty-two years, to what do you attribute that success? - I expected a lot out of my girls and the coaching staff and I pushed them really hard, and they rose to the occasion to meet the goal of the Regional Championship, and they earned it. Do you see another Regional Championship in the future this coming year? - I would say that we have a good chance, we were recently moved into division 5A. For the last couple years we have been in 6A, but that does not mean it will be any easier. We are planning on going to state this year and we will see what happens, as with any sport, anything can happen when the pressure is on. - Who do you see as your toughest competition this year? - Maybe Bishop Kelley and Bishop McGuiness, but that remains to be seen. Like I said we are new to division 5A so we will not be playing the usual competition. - What is something that you tell your girls to inspire them? - I tell them to always play with heart, and to work as hard as they can, because if they give their best in practice and the games, then they will have an advantage over other teams. Skill is important, but heart wins the games. - You have coached club volleyball for nine years and have led the only Oklahoma team to ever win a national title. Last year you started your own volleyball club "Club One" and this year sent four teams to nationals. How did that feel? - It was awesome, all the coaches were such a tremendous help, and all the girls worked together and cheered on each others teams, it was a really unifying experience for the club! - For girls aspiring to play in college, how important is it to play club volleyball? - If you want to take your game to the next level then it is imperative that you play club, that rule applies for almost every sport. Club volleyball helps you get out there and get seen by college coaches from around the country. It also allows you to play highly competitive teams from other states. Do you think girl's volleyball offers good scholarship opportunities for college? - Girl's volleyball is one of the best for scholarships; Division one can offer twelve full scholarships and Division two and NAIA offer partials so it's a pretty good deal. There is not as much competition for scholarships in volleyball as compared to basketball. - It has been said that many other states offer superior competition compared to Oklahoma, why is that? - In the West Coast states, they start at such an early age, the public schools offer volleyball in sixth grade as opposed to Oklahoma where play begins in the eighth grade. Also in the Midwest it is more difficult to play year around during the off-season. West Coast teams can hold "clinics" and get together and practice on the beach, avoiding the official hard court rules. However, Oklahoma is becoming more nationally recognized with stronger teams ranking higher on the national stage. - What positive programs are you implementing to help the girls prepare for college volleyball? - I like to bring in actual college volleyball players past and present, to help train and mentor the girls. There is a real connection there and the girls look up to these players and realize they can do it as well. Plus, they know the sport better than most and the transfer of their experience is invaluable. What do you see in the future for volleyball in Oklahoma? - I am exited to see the pace at which volleyball has recently grown in size and popularity. The increase in the skill levels makes the game more competitive and enjoyable for players and fans alike. What is one of the funniest things that happen while you are coaching? - One of the funniest things that happens on the court is whenever someone gets "six packed" which means they get hit with the ball, it always makes the loudest noise! - Have you ever been carded by a referee? - Uh, yes a bunch of times. I am one of those people that will call the referees out, if they are going to call my girl in the net they better be standing on the right side.