(ROCKWALL, TX — October 24, 2017) The Rockwall High School Girls Varsity Volleyball team’s victory against Mesquite on Friday, Oct. 13 marked a milestone in the making for head coach Damon Wilson, who celebrated win number 500 of his career at the helm of the Rockwall varsity volleyball program.
“It doesn’t feel real. I’ve been fortunate to do this a long time, and I’ve always had great people helping me along the way, especially at Rockwall. This is not an accomplishment that’s just about me; I’ve always had people working with me every step of the way,” Wilson said.
The 47-year-old said he fell in love with the sport in college at Howard Payne University, where he converted from a walk-on member of the basketball team to a freshman outside hitter on the men’s volleyball club in 1988. He became captain of the team a year later, and served as a player/coach until his graduation in 1993.
“There’s an urgency to volleyball that I like,” Wilson said. “As a basketball player, I always wanted to go up and dunk the ball like the players do in the NBA. I like that in volleyball there’s always a chance for a slam dunk play.”
In 2004, Wilson took a head coaching job at Crandall High School and led the team to two district championships and a regional semi-final berth in his four years there. He accepted the head coaching position at Rockwall High School in 2008 and guided the team to its first two playoff wins in his first season.
When asked what he likes most about coaching the sport he loves, Wilson said it’s the teamwork involved in working together towards a championship.
“I like the challenge – there’s an uncertainty to it because nothing’s guaranteed. It’s a chance to bring people together to accomplish something special,” he said.
The Rockwall High School Girls Varsity team has dominated on the court this season with an overall record of 28-13 (12-1 in district play) and an undefeated record at home at 14-0. Wilson contributed the success of the team to very solid play on all areas of the court, coupled with the passion the girls bring to the court each night.
“The level of dedication of female athletes in this area is amazing,” Wilson said. “They’re really into it. Volleyball is their passion and my passion, so it’s like we’re sharing something together. I hope they have a sense of pride and love it, and make great relationships with their teammates so they can have fond memories of being a part of a great team.”
The team will look to keep their undefeated home record intact tonight at 6:30 p.m. against district rival Rockwall-Heath. Rockwall’s only loss in district play this season came against the Hawks on Sept. 29 at Rockwall-Heath High School.
Story and photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.
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