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Shoffner Style: Klein tabs Cameron Shoffner as new head volleyball coach
HOUSTON – Whenever teams line up against Klein in 2022, Cameron Shoffner knows that his new team will get everyone’s best shot.
Shoffner – who was hired this week as the new head coach for the Klein volleyball team replacing Kate Zora – is ready to take the reins of the Bearkats program that has reached the Regional Quarterfinals for five-straight season and reached the Class 6A State Championship game in 2020.
“I’m thrilled for the opportunity,” Shoffner said. “It is no secret of the success that they’ve had. I’m excited to build on that and keep it sustained to where that is the expectation moving forward. They are one of the premiere schools and programs in Houston. Anytime you have an opportunity to be involved in something like that, I couldn’t pass up pursuing it.”
Shoffner spent the previous two season at New Caney High School as the Eagles head coach. Prior to that he was at Kingwood Park as a varsity assistant under Kelly Miser, where they won the Class 5A State Championship in 2018.
“When I was at Kingwood Park, the team aspect stood out more than anything that was happening directly on the court,” Shoffner said. “It was how close the girls were and how close the whole program was in terms of wanting others to succeed, being there for each other and building each other up. Also spending time with each other off the court and outside of school.
“I think that is something that I can bring to Klein is that sense of commitment and community across all four teams as a program as a whole.”
As Shoffner heads into his second head-coaching job, he has learned from both of his previous stops heading into Klein.
Under Miser at Kingwood Park, Shoffner learned how to delegate properly. That skill developed even more at New Caney once he moved into the head chair. He also learned how to “roll with the punches” and how to overcome adversity through a season.
Taking over a premier program in Houston, which has made the Region II-6A Finals in two of the last three seasons and made the Regional Tournament in four of the last five years, Shoffner knows that they will get everyone’s best shot.
He welcomes it.
“At the end of the day the better teams that we’re playing the better off we are going to be when push comes to shove and we’re trying to make a playoff run,” Shoffner said. “It’s only going to make us better. Yeah, it’s going to be tough, and we don’t have the luxury of resting here or ‘coasting’. At the same time, we’re going to have to be that good if we want to achieve all the things we want.”
Every coach has their style, even Shoffner.
The new Klein head coach wants his players to be adaptable and competitive. Push each other to be better for the betterment of the team.
“Getting kids to buy in to multiple avenues of success,” Shoffner said. “Being in different roles and whatever we need that day, that week or for that matchup. Understanding that we don’t have to be a one-trick pony. At the same time competing against each other day-in and day-out is only going to help whenever we’re playing those games where the target is on your back, and everybody wants to put that on the weekly tweet of we beat Klein or went four or five sets.
“I’m ready to get there and get working on that competitive streak and understanding that we’re going to have to push each other to succeed as much as we can.”
Klein Baseball
WELCOME TO THE PARK: Bearkats Looking To Build Off Playoff Appearance
THE KLEIN HIGH BEARKATS MADE IT TO THE BIG DANCE A YEAR AGO OUT OF DISTRICT 15-6A. THE BEARKATS WERE OUSTED IN THE FIRST ROUND BY CYPRESS RANCH BUT LOOK TO BUILD OFF THAT 2021 PLAYOFF APPEARANCE. IT WASN’T THAT LONG AGO – 2018 – THAT THIS PROGRAM MADE A RUN TO THE REGIONAL SEMIFINALS. SO, THEY KNOW HOW TO GET THERE.
A trio of seniors will be a key to the puzzle for head coach Barry Smith.
It will start with outfielder Trent Burton who is signed to play ball at Schreiner University.
Joining him in the outfield will be James Shumate who will hold down center.
Right-handed pitcher and third baseman Seth Thomas will be big on the mound and in the field for the Bearkats in 2022.
