Hevener a lengthy net gain

For any coach, there are advantages to teaching phys-ed, rather than algebra, biology or English lit.

Wounded by graduation, Thomas Dale High School boys volleyball coach Mike Walker was in dire need of a tall, springy middle blocker to defend his state Group AAA title.

Turns out, the middle Walker coveted to replace Steve McGraw was right under his whistle -- just a jumping jack away -- in his sophomore P.E. class.

"Coach Walker liked the fact I was tall and that I could jump. He talked me about it and finally talked me into it," junior Donnie Hevener said.

It's hard topping this overnight success story. Hevener went from a kid who thought a "kill shot" was something you did in deer season to a starting middle on one of Virginia's flagship programs.

He never had played a game of volleyball -- even sand-court style -- before this past August.

"It's amazing, really, how quickly Donnie picked it up," Walker said. "But he's a great kid -- second in command in our Junior ROTC."

The 6-3 170-pounder with a blond crew-cut has been a tower of strength on the defensive side of the net.

Hevener's long, discouraging fingers -- sometimes even elbows -- have been well above the 8-foot net during the Knights' 25-0 run into today's 1 p.m. state semifinals at VCU's Siegel Center.

"I never expected this," said Hevener, who has 95 kills and 83 blocks. "I'm kind of speechless."

Third-generation Knight: It's no shock Hevener has become a Dale varsity athlete. The surprise is that it's in volleyball and not football.

The late Ray Hevener Sr., Donnie's grandfather, was a founding father of the Chesterfield Quarterback League.

A field at Salem Church Middle is named in his honor, and Ray Sr. remains a beloved legend in county football -- especially at Dale, where he played in the 1950s.

Donnie's father, Ray Jr., and uncles Steve and Mike, played football for Dale and have been long-time CQL coaches.

Donnie Hevener grew up blocking and tackling in the Harrowgate Association. He was a wide receiver/punter on last year's Dale JV team.

This past summer, urged by friends and remembering coach Walker's invitation, he waved good-bye to family tradition, opting for a volleyball tryout.

"I was really worried what my dad would say," Hevener said. "But when I told him, he was fine with it. I really love my family for backing me on this."