Blake Hardison hired as new HCHS volleyball coach
Blake Hardison was born to coach volleyball. The 28-year-old from Owensboro will get that chance at the high school level after being named the new leader of the HCHS volleyball program. Hardison takes over for Tim Blan, who retired as coach after last season.
Hardison is excited about becoming a high school head coach and he believes the Lady Hornets have a chance to be very good in 2021.
“We have a lot of players who have varsity and travel ball experience and we have a lot of raw talent. I think once we tap into that talent we’re going to see success. I think this team has the opportunity to be one of the best ever at Hancock County.”
Hardison is part of a volleyball family. His father Brian is head coach at Owensboro Catholic, while his brother Zach was head coach at Hancock County just four years ago.
“I was literally born into the game. My father was playing volleyball when I was born,” Hardison said with a smile. “Growing up I was in the gym with my father the whole time.”
Hardison has coaching experience through travel ball and decided to take a shot at coaching at the high school level when the job at HCHS became available. He has already coached several Lady Hornet players.
“Some of the parents pushed me to apply for the job and thankfully Hancock County decided to take a chance on me… and here we are.”
More than 30 girls have come out for volleyball this season and Hardison took a group to compete in scrimmages last weekend.
“The girls played really well and after a tough match against Ohio County a lot of coaches and parents came up to me, saying that this (HCHS) team is going to be really solid by the time post season rolls around, and I agree. I’m really excited to be working with this program.”
One major difference between coaching travel ball and high school is the amount of practice time.
“In travel ball you have two hour practices about two days a week. In high school we’ll be having mandatory practices four days a week for three hours, plus an optional practice day on Fridays. So this will be a good test of my coaching skills… am I good enough?”
The new coach has a plan on how to work with his new team.
“I think having a coach who believes in you and one who helps a player grow with confidence is important. I want to push them beyond their perceived limitations. A lot of athletes have a construct in their minds that they can only do so much, and that’s fine, but you also need someone who will push you, in a respectable manor.”
Hardison talked about expectations for the upcoming season and what he and his players hope to achieve.
“I’m a big goal setter and I like to set them extremely high. I asked the girls to write down what they wanted to do for this season, and a lot of them said that they wanted to win the first game of district.”
Winning the first game of the district tournament will advance the team on to regionals.
“Our district is really tough with Breck and Meade and Cloverport. Breck just had a girl sign with the University of Kentucky, the current national champions. But I told some of the girls, ‘hey try to be district player of the year or get on the all-district team or win a district championship.
“Our schedule is going to be a lot tougher than what they’re used to. But when it comes to the post season it doesn’t matter what your win-loss record is, what matters is whether you can stay with your competition and I’m going to try my best to get them ready.”
The 2021 season officially begins on Aug. 16
By Steve Wimmer
