Avon spikers looking for right lineup to contend in 2013

Sophomore Abby Laszewski may have closed her eyes but she blocked this hit in a preseason scrimmage.

AVON – Avon High volleyball coach Curt Burns knows his team will be better in November than they are today. It’s just a matter of finding the right lineup to put out on the floor. 

The Falcons have six letterwinners returning this season and a tall lineup of athletes as they look to the CIAC tournament for the 17th consecutive season. “We have a lot of potential,” Burns said. “It’s a matter of putting it all together.” 

Avon (14-8, 10-4 NCCC) did lose one of the best volleyball players to wear a Falcon uniform with the graduation of outside hitter Jackie Greenburg, an outstanding All-State hitter who was solid across the court. She led the team with 271 kills, 64 aces and 205 digs in 22 matches. She is playing this year at Villanova. 

Avon has four players over six feet tall. Sophomore hitter Abby Laszewski, who had 56 kills and 25 blocks a year ago, is 6-foot-3 while seniors Caroline Rendeiro (24 kills) and Madison Mains (34 kills, 35 blocks) are 6-foot-1. Junior Olivia Hart is 6-foot while senior Erin Sherman is 5-foot-10. 

The key will be to see if the Falcons can pass the ball well enough to the setter to get the ball to their big frontline. 

Avon is using the preseason to construct a lineup. “We have a lot of players who play multiple positions so we’re trying to see which players are the strongest in specific positions,” Burns said. “It’s a work in progress.” 

The Falcons are trying to determine who plays setter – sophomore Brooke Fisher or junior Caitlyn Cunningham, who had 38 kills as a hitter last year along with 38 aces (second on the team to Greenburg) and 87 digs. Seniors Nicole Ruberstein  and Kristi Mallery looks to play liberio, the defensive specialist position. Erin Sherman is looking to make a difference as an outside hitter. 

Avon will play 20 matches this season after the CIAC added schools to add another two matches. The Falcons will have 14 league matches along with six non-conference games with Farmington, Lewis Mills, Newington, Woodstock Academy, Mercy and Glastonbury. Avon opens the season on September 10 by hosting Mills. 

Avon looks to be a contender for the league championship along with Coventry, who has won seven straight NCCC titles since they entered the league in 2002, Bolton and Granby. 

“All the pieces are here,” Burns said. “It’s a matter of getting the training we need to get as strong as we can.” 

VOLLEYBALL
Coach: Curt Burns, 25th season (308-164)
Last year: 14-8, 10-4 NCCC (4th), Lost 2nd round Class L tournament to Joel Barlow, 3-0
Key losses: All-State hitter Jackie Greenburg (team-high 271 kills) and Ariel Lepito (114 kills)
Top players: Seniors Madison Mains (34 kills, 35 blocks), Caroline Rendeiro (24 kills), Nicole Rubenstein, Erin Sherman, Kristi Malley; Juniors Caitlin Cunningham (38 kills, 38 aces, 87 digs), Sammy Maniatty (26 kills, 11 aces), Olivia Hart, Kendra Love; Sophomores Abby Laszewski (56 kills, 25 blocks, 16 aces), Brooke Fisher, Della Hellwig
Outlook: The Falcons lost the talented Jackie Greenburg but return six letterwinners and four players over 6-feet tall. Avon should be able to hit and block. The question will be if Avon can play defense and pass the ball well enough to the setter to get the ball to their big players. Look for Avon to be in the hunt for the league title along with Coventry, Bolton and Granby.
Of note: Avon will host the NCCC Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 2 with the semifinals and championship match. The quarterfinals between the No. 3 and No. 6 seed and the No. 4 and No. 5 seeded teams will played on Friday, Nov. 1 at the sites of the higher seeded teams. … In 24 seasons under Burns, the Falcons have qualified for the CIAC tournament 19 times.