Athlete Spotlight: Levi Hanson & Matthew Gabler
Grade—Senior
School—CVCHS
Sport—Volleyball
Matthew Gabler and Levi Hanson bring a legacy of hard work, determination and dedication to the CVCHS volleyball program as they prepare for their final year with the team. Hanson is playing his fourth year on varsity team and Gabler his third. In addition, the duo play competitive club for the Bay Area Volleyball Club. Gabler plays outside hitter, middle and opposite, while Hanson is an outside hitter.
The two were captains as juniors and seniors. Hanson comes from a family full of volleyball players, with his older brother a former player for CVCHS and his younger brother also on the CVCHS team. Growing up, he played every sport in the book, but decided to continue playing volleyball in high school to keep the family tradition of volleyball alive. Gabler’s mom is a Clayton Valley alumnus while playing volleyball in high school and beach volleyball in college. “I’ve met a lot of new people and made new friends through volleyball,” Gabler says, “I wasn’t planning on playing, but I’m really glad that I did. Volleyball is the most fun sport to play…after every point, you get an adrenaline rush,” Hanson explains. He was first team all-league as a junior and freshman and second team as a sophomore. Hanson was second in voting for DAL MVP last spring while teammate Gabler was second-team all-DAL.
Both boys have received Scholar Athlete awards throughout their high school careers.“It’s been a blessing and an honor to coach Matt and Levi. They are outstanding athletes who show so much strength and tenacity…Their work ethic and dedication to the sport is inspirational,” says boys and girls volleyball coach Youki Bradley. “I hope to make their last high school season their best one yet. Matt and Levi have become family to me and I’m so grateful to have them on the team!” Gabler and Hanson have both been active members of the CVCHS Medical Academy all four years and plan on working in the medical field someday. Gabler hopes to receive his Bachelor’s in nursing and eventually become an ER nurse. Hanson also hopes to study medicine and become a surgeon.
CVCHS student journalist Sydney Skow wrote this Spotlight.
The Pioneer congratulates Levi and Matthew and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Concord and Clayton area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.