Scotts Valley’s New Girls Volleyball Coach is True to Herself and Her Team
By Michael Oppenheimer
Treva Crocker, Scotts Valley High School’s new Varsity and JV Girls Volleyball Coach, has had many influences in her life, such as her Anzar High School coach Chris Wardlaw. But when it comes to how she approaches coaching, one influence stands high above the rest.
“Jan Furman brought the most and the best out of me,” Crocker said. “Her passion for coaching and developing young women has inspired me to be the coach that I am.”
Furman has been influencing Crocker for a decade. As the director and founder of Main Beach Volleyball Club and the Women’s Volleyball Coach at Cabrillo College until 2009, Furman has an ear throughout the local volleyball community. When the Scotts Valley girls head coaching position came open after last season, Crocker was at the top of her list of people to inform.
“I have friends who coach here, but Jan was the one who told me about the opening,” Crocker said. “I’ve been coaching club ball for eight years, so this, my first high school coaching job, is very exciting.”
Crocker’s past experience has, of course, been mostly coaching with Main Beach, from “Blenders” training (skills camps) to coaching 18-and-under teams. She also played on club teams while a four-year player at Anzar and two years under Furman at Cabrillo before earning a full volleyball scholarship at Bethany College, where she graduated with a degree in communication which she uses to help her connect with her team.
“I’m not here just to teach fundamentals,” Crocker said. “Life and learning is a process, and I’m here to develop these ladies not just as athletes, but as whole people … help them learn the strength of unity and cohesiveness. Help them learn to work together as women, and work together as athletes.”
Of course, it helps as the head coach to have an assistant coach who you know. It’s a bonus if your team is comfortable with that person too. Crocker was barely ready to start thinking about her staff when a perfect candidate was handed to her on a silver platter.
Scotts Valley Athletic Director Louie Walters knew that 2013 graduate Maggie Witzig was interested in helping coach the team she’d just spent four years playing on. What he may not have known was Witzig and Crocker had a history.
“Mr. Walters told me they were hiring new coach and I should contact her,” Witzig said. “He told me her name was Treva and I said ‘Wait, is her last name Crocker?’”
Crocker also remembered Witzig from Blenders; after a couple of phone conversations, the deal was done.
“I was really excited,” Witzig said. “I hadn’t seen her for years, but I remembered her and couldn’t wait to work with her again.”
Witzig, however, was in for a small surprise.
“Treva had long hair and no tattoos when I saw her last,” Witzig admitted. “It was a bit weird, I have to admit.”
Crocker’s tattoos are not random art, but a fundamental part of her outlook on life.
“All my tattoos are part of my life and my learning process,” she said. “Which also ties into my coaching philosophy.”
Crocker is passionate developing athletes and showing the love of the game to young women. She also is passionate about helping her players grow as individuals, another thing her tattoos reflect.
“I have ‘I Will Grow Here’ across my arm; flowers representing growth,” she explained. “My tattoo on my back, my peacock feather, represents being true to yourself and being okay with that.”
That particular philosophy again triggers her passion for coaching.
“My desire to coach, my style, stems from allowing these women to learn that as well,” she said.
“The girls ask about them a lot too,” she added, drawing a chuckle from Witzig. “They want to know everything.”
Crocker’s passion is tangible. It shows on her face and is clear in her voice as she talks.
“I’m passionate about the game of volleyball … I love it. It brought me a lot of understanding of the bonds you can create with each other and sisterhood,” she said. “Sisterhood is my number one purpose for coaching. Having them learn what it means to develop friendships and relationships with each other.”
With Crocker’s passion, caring and experience, Scotts Valley girls volleyball has a bright future to look forward to.