By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
EDGERTON – After setting the Edgerton single season record for assists last season as a sophomore with 713, Ava Swank’s athletic career hit a bump in the road.
Swank suffered an ankle injury during the basketball season in February and underwent surgery in May to have it repaired.
After a summer of physical therapy, Swank was back and ready to go for the volleyball season and hasn’t missed a beat as she eclipsed 1,000 career assists in a win at Ayersville on September 17.
“This accomplishment shows that I can reach the goals I set for myself if I work hard enough”, said Swank.
“It also shows the amount of support that I have from my teammates, family, and community. This encourages me to work harder and accomplish many more goals I have.”
“My family has been a huge help in reaching this milestone from the amount of support they have provided me. My parents support me in everything I do, and they help me reach my goals. They are always by my side in the good times and bad.”
“I truly couldn’t have reached this milestone without my hitters and passers. It is a team effort, and I want to thank them for all they have done for me”, added Swank, who now has her sights set on becoming the all-time assist leader at Edgerton.
“I also want to thank my athletic trainer and physical therapist for helping me through my ankle injury that I suffered in basketball. I wouldn’t be able to reach this achievement my junior year without their help!”
“Ava is a very selfless player. She makes sure everyone gets what they need to hit and get the kills that have gotten her to 1,000 assists,” said head coach Krista Pahl.
“She takes her job very seriously. I have to remind her often that no one is perfect, and the hitters have to adjust sometimes to her sets as well. She works extremely hard to always get better.”
“You’ll find her setting against the wall and looking for ways or things she can do so she can get better. She puts in the extra work. She is a great leader on and off the floor for Edgerton Athletics.”
“I remember when I told her as a sophomore that she was going to be the only setter on varsity”, continued Pahl. “She was unsure about it at first and nervous that she wouldn’t be good enough. She worked hard and did all that I asked her to do. She stepped into the role very quickly.”
“She is definitely a team player, hard worker and leader on and off the floor. She has this energy about her. She is a great athlete and an awesome player to coach.”
“She was off (after ankle surgery) but did not miss a practice or the camps and stuff we did in the summer. She told me when she said she was having surgery, to not worry, she’d make sure she was back in time for the start of the season, and she did just that. She worked hard in physical therapy because she knew me and her team were counting on her”, commented Pahl.
In the classroom, Swank is involved in FCA, FEA, Spanish Club, is the vice-president of the junior class, and has been nominated for the induction into the National Honor Society.
Swank said not giving up when asked what advice she would give young players just starting. “Do not give up. If you are placed in a position you weren’t planning on, use that as motivation to get where you want to be”, began Swank.
“As a freshman I didn’t even sit varsity, so I worked at volleyball. Now I am a junior on varsity and have 1,000 assists!”
“Also don’t be discouraged if you experience a setback with an injury like I did in February. “If you put your mind to it, you’ll eventually return to the floor better than you once were.”
