Seventeen-year-old Hannah Deatherage has spent much of her life chasing volleyballs across courts in gyms all over Texas, but she’s just as at home right here in Wolf Ranch. A senior at East View High School, Hannah is not only a standout athlete but also a neighbor who brings determination, resilience, and heart to everything she does.

Hannah and her family moved to Wolf Ranch in 2023 after living in Avery Ranch in Austin. They quickly embraced the neighborhood’s many amenities, from the pools and gym to the pickleball courts. Just as important, they’ve enjoyed building friendships with neighbors and taking family walks with their dog, Ranger. “We love the pools, gym, pickleball courts, and of course our neighbors!” Hannah says. That sense of community has been the perfect backdrop for her busy high school years.

Hannah’s introduction to volleyball came early. Inspired by her older sister Abby, she started playing at the Brushy Creek Rec Center in third grade. Soon, family trips to University of Texas volleyball games deepened her love for the sport. She joined her middle school team, began playing for club teams, and continued through high school.

In the beginning, she was the shortest member of her team, which meant playing as a libero and defensive specialist. As she grew, so did her role. Hannah shifted to outside hitter, middle blocker, and now plays as a right-side hitter for the East View High School Varsity volleyball team. Her versatility on the court is a reflection of her dedication to the game.

Along the way, Hannah has drawn inspiration from collegiate players like Molly Phillips and Maddy Skinner, both of whom she’s had the opportunity to meet. “I’m super grateful for all that I have learned from volleyball, the amazing coaches I’ve had, and the wonderful friends that I’ve made,” she reflects.

When asked about her favorite volleyball moments, Hannah immediately thinks of her club tournaments. Trips to the Lonestar Regional Championships in Dallas and the AAU Junior National Championships in Orlando stand out not just for the competition but for the camaraderie. “The time spent with my teammates playing games and making memories will always be something I treasure,” she says. Those shared experiences helped turn teammates into lifelong friends.

For student-athletes, balancing academics and athletics is no easy feat, and Hannah’s schedule is a testament to that. Club tournaments often mean traveling out of state or competing during the week. As a varsity athlete, she juggles daily weekday practices, two games a week, and Saturday sessions that include practice and film review. Yet despite the long hours, Hannah sees it all as worthwhile. “While this is a big time commitment, it’s also my favorite time of the year!” she says.

The bonds she shares with her teammates make the hard work worth it. Those relationships go beyond the court and the classroom. “We truly are a family,” she says.

Like many athletes, Hannah has faced setbacks. One of the toughest came at the start of her junior year, when she dislocated her collarbone due to overuse. Forced to wear a sling for two months, she had to watch from the sidelines as her team competed without her.

But instead of giving in to frustration, Hannah found new ways to lead. She threw herself into supporting her teammates running warmups, keeping stats, encouraging from the bench, and keeping the energy alive when games weren’t going the team’s way. “It wasn’t the role I originally wanted, but it was the role my team needed,” she explains.

That experience reshaped her perspective on leadership. “Leadership isn’t just about what you do when things go right, it’s about how you respond when things get hard.”

A big part of Hannah’s growth has come from playing under East View’s Varsity coach, Sydney Huck. “Coach Huck has worked hard to build an amazing program and helped me love volleyball again when I was feeling burnt out,” Hannah shares. The culture Coach Huck has created emphasizes accountability, values, and standards that extend well beyond the court. For Hannah, being part of such a program has been transformative. “Being a member of this team has been an experience that I will always cherish.”

Hannah knows firsthand that volleyball is more than the highlight plays fans see. “It’s about the reps over and over at practice, the conditioning drills that make your arms and legs feel like they are about to fall off, and the times when a teammate is struggling and you have to step in and help,” she says.

Her advice to younger athletes in Wolf Ranch is clear: “Keep showing up and practicing. Work hard, it builds your skills, character, and grit factor. Be respectful of your coaches and teammates, and develop meaningful friendships and relationships that extend beyond the court.”

As Hannah looks toward graduation and the next chapter of her life, her time in volleyball continues to shape who she is becoming. From perseverance through injury to the joy of competition and the friendships forged along the way, the lessons she’s learned will stay with her long after her final serve.

For now, she’s soaking in every moment of her senior year, whether on the court with her teammates, cheering from the bench, or walking Ranger with her family through the Wolf Ranch trails she calls home.

Wolf Ranch is proud to count Hannah among its residents, a young athlete who shows that leadership, resilience, and heart can shine as brightly off the court as they do under the gym lights.