Avon spikers looking strong with experienced team returning

Avon’s Sofia Berrio blocks Jonathan Law’s Shawna Winters (20) in a Class L tournament game last October in Avon. Audrey Worth (7) helps out on the block.

AVON, Sept, 6 — The Avon High girls volleyball team has done well in their first two seasons in the Central Connecticut Conference. Twice, they finished second to Farmington in the CCC Central White Division. A year ago, the Indians went to the Class L championship before losing for the first time all year to CCC rival RHAM.

They’ve won 17 matches the last two seasons and advanced to the Class L tournament quarterfinals both years.

This year, the Falcons are hoping a little bit more with a senior-dominated and experienced squad.

“We return a strong core of players,” long-time Avon coach Curt Burns said. “We have a dedicated group of players that have worked hard in the off season by participating in USA Volleyball club tournaments throughout the Northeast and at the national level as well.”

Avon (17-7, 8-2 CCC Central White) returns their best two hitters from a year ago. Senior outside hitter Maddy Hart had a team-leading 295 kills last fall and 73 aces serving. Senior middle hitter Sofia Berrio was second on the team with 134 kills and 27 blocks. Senior Victoria Abdelmalek had 91 kills, fourth on the team, and 53 serving aces.

Maddie Hart has nearly 500 kills in the past two seasons for the Falcons. Hart had a team-leading 295 kills a year ago.

The Falcons return their setter, senior Audrey Worth, who had a team-leading 628 assists along with 146 digs – third best on the team. Hart dug up 221 balls off the floor.

“With our skilled and experienced upperclassmen, we are blending in new, young talent that brings athleticism and energy to the team,” said Burns, who is beginning his 29th season behind the bench.

Senior MacKenzie Nolan will start at libero – a defensive specialist while sophomores Emily Dempsey (middle hitter), Abby St. Onge (setter, hitter) and Baylee Braun (outside hitter) look to be getting plenty of playing time.

It won’t be an easy schedule with a pair of games against Class L finalist Farmington, Simsbury and Glastonbury.

With the departure of Rockville and Weaver from the CCC, the league has realigned. Avon will be in the CCC West’s Patriot Division with Farmington, Glastonbury and Simsbury. They’ll play two games each against those three teams and play an additional match against Conard, Hall, Southington and Northwest Catholic for 10 CCC West contests to determine the Patriot Division champion.

Glastonbury went to the Class LL quarterfinals a year ago and return a talented squad. Southington, who also lost in the Class LL quarterfinals, has a hard-hitting team with three returning starters.

Avon opens the season on Friday night at Simsbury at 7 p.m. They open at home on Monday night at 7 p.m. against Glastonbury.

2017 CCC West volleyball

• Patriot Division: Avon, Farmington, Simsbury, Glastonbury
• Colonial Division: Southington, Hall, Conard, Northwest Catholic