Avon’s Dempsey named Max Preps/AVCA state player of the week

Avon’s leading hitter, Emily Dempsey, puts down a spike in CCC match against Farmington last fall.

Avon High senior hitter Emily Dempsey was selected as the Max Preps/AVCA state volleyball player of the week in Connecticut. Each week, Max Preps and the American Volleyball Coaches Association showcase a top volleyball player in each state with the weekly award.

In the six of the last seven matches, Dempsey has hit 45 kills with 26 digs and eight serving aces for the Falcons, now 11-1 in dual meet action. The Falcons are 5-0 in the CCC West Patriot division with victories over Farmington, Glastonbury and Simsbury.

Avon began last week with a 3-0 win over Farmington, 25-15, 25-10 and 25-13 behind a game-high 13 kills along with five digs and two serving aces from Dempsey. Avon, ranked No. 7 in the state in the latest state volleyball coaches poll, beat the Indians for the first time since 2009, snapping a 12-game losing streak in the process.

The Falcons swept Platt High, 25-14, 25-17, 25-14 to remain undefeated and in first place in the CCC West Patriot Division (5-0).

On Saturday, Avon played at the Connecticut Fall Brawl Tournament at RHAM in Hebron in four matches against Coventry, Darien, Ballston Spa, N.Y., and Waterford. The weekend Fall Brawl tournament results don’t count toward Avon’s season-long record.

Dempsey had 10 kills and an ace in a 2-0 sweep of No. 6 Coventry (25-15, 25-17) and 5 kills and six digs in Avon’s 1-1 tie with Darien (22-25, 25-21). Dempsey had six kills in a 2-1 loss to Ballston Spa, New York. Dempsey finished out the afternoon with a game-high 11 kills and four digs in a 2-1 loss to Waterford, 24-26, 25-22, 11-15.

Dempsey has a team-leading 45 kills, 26 aces, five blocks and 94 digs. Avon returns to action on Wednesday when they host Conard at the high school beginning at 6 p.m.