An earlier version of this story stated Gravlee coached only two seasons at Northridge, but he coached four and wrapped up his fifth year as a head coach with Gulf Shores this season.

Ryan Gravlee was among those recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on the high school version of its Thirty Under 30 list which honors up-and-coming coaching talent.

The Dolphins finished 33-13 in the first season under Gravlee, who took over after four seasons and four area titles at Class 6A Northridge. Gulf Shores made its second consecutive trip to the Elite 8 after it earned its second straight area title. The Dolphins also went undefeated in regular-season area play.

During his time with the Jaguars, Gravlee logged a 131-61 overall record with four trips to the Elite 8 and two regional runner-up finishes. He was also named to the AVCA’s Thirty Under 30 list in 2020.

On the 2023 list, Gravlee was one of only three honorees from the Yellowhammer State where he joined Desintee Briskey from Munford and Emily Logan from Priceville. Neighboring states including Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi all had one coach recognized each.

The AVCA’s Thirty Under 30 Awards Program started in 2009 with the beach, club and at-large categories before expanding to the high school level in 2016.

“This year’s 30 high school recipients are a diverse group, representing 21 different states. They serve in a variety of roles, ranging from head and assistant coaches to varsity and JV coaches to girls’ and boys’ coaches,” the AVCA website reads. “In order to be considered for the honor, high school coaches meeting the proper age requirement must be an AVCA member and actively coaching high school/interscholastic girls’ and/or boys’ volleyball.”

2023 AVCA Thirty Under 30 High School Awards Recipients

Mary Kate Beck – JV Head Coach, Varsity Assistant: Wren High School (SC)

Destinee Briskey – Head Varsity Coach: Munford High School (AL – AHSVCA)

Stephanie Chenlo –Head Varsity Coach: Hudsonville High School (MI – MIVCA)

Courtney Collins – Head Varsity Coach: Cushing Academy (MA – MGVCA)

Jessica Dood – Head Varsity Coach: Grandville High School (MI – MIVCA)

Elizabeth Ferguson – Head Varsity Girls’ Coach: West Bloomfield High School and Lakeland High School (MI – MIVCA)

Olivia Garrett – Assistant Varsity Coach, Assistant JV Coach: Brandon High School (MS)

Ryan Gravlee – Head Varsity Coach: Gulf Shores High School (AL – AHSVCA)

Kaitlyn Hickey – Head Varsity Coach: Penn High School (IN – IHSVCA)

Kainan Hudson – Head Varsity Coach: George Rogers Clark High School (KY – KVCA)

Andrew Hummert – Head Varsity Boys’ Coach: Marquette (MO – MVBCA)

Tommy Jonas – Head Varsity Coach: Pewaukee High School (WI – WVCA)

Jessica Kirkendall – Head Varsity Coach: Lincoln Southwest High School (NE – NCA [Volleyball])

Emily Loftus Ewing – Head Varsity Coach: Dr. Phillips High School (FL)

Emily Logan – Head Varsity Coach: Priceville High School (AL – AHSVCA)

Michael Ma – Head Varsity Coach: St. Joseph High School (CA – CCA [Volleyball])

Kathleen Miller – Head Varsity Girls’ Coach: Oak Lawn Community High School (IL – IVCA)

Claire Morgan – Head Varsity Coach: Mount Pisgah Christian School (GA – GVCA)

Cami Oelsligle – Head Varsity Coach: Humphrey Public School (NE – NCA [Volleyball])

Austin Osborne – Head Varsity Coach: Service High School (AK)

Anna Palmer – Head Varsity Coach: Nelson County (KY – KVCA)

Courtney Perry – Head Varsity Coach: Fairview High School (TN)

Priscilla Petersen – Head Varsity Coach: Papillion-La Vista (NE – NCA [Volleyball])

Daniel Piwowarczyk – Head Varsity Girls’ Coach: York Community High School (IL – IVCA)

Dean Ridge Porter – Head Varsity Boys’ Coach: East Greenwich High School (RI)

Matthew Rivera – Assistant Varsity Coach: Immaculate Heart Academy (NJ)

Logan Smoak – Head Varsity Coach: Nacogdoches Central Heights (TX – THSCA)

Sydney Swann – Head Athletic Director: Morgan City High School (LA)

Ryan Webb – Head Varsity Coach: Pembroke Hill School (MO – MVBCA)

Lindsay Zych Franco – Head Varsity Coach: Bishop Miege (KS – KVA)