Jacy Zollar, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Photo by Jody Ward Shawano Community High School senior Averi Vomastic has seen her performance level rise steadily this year.
Photo by Jody Ward Shawano Community High School senior Averi Vomastic attacks the ball.
Eighty-two kills and 55 digs over her team’s past two tournaments offer a glimpse of Shawano senior Averi Vomastic’s dominant role on the Hawks’ volleyball team.
Her leadership role goes beyond statistics, though.
“Averi is definitely the leader of the team on and off the court,” Shawano head coach Breanna Young said. “She’s always had that leadership quality in her — it’s natural — and she really stepped up this year to take on the responsibility.”
The outside hitter put in work over the offseason to gain an edge on the court her final year. She has seen her performance level rise, contributing to the team’s 17-4 record so far on the season, but it has also given her the confidence to step into the captain position.
“I definitely feel like I’m the leader on the court,” Vomastic said. “Everyone can depend on me for anything.”
Vomastic said the game’s toughest aspects, mentality and uncertainty, fuel her passion.
“I love how it’s such a team and mental game,” she said. “There’s never going to be the same play twice, so you’re always anticipating something different.”
Rather than choosing a professional when asked what athlete she admires, Vomastic looked to her Wisconsin PoWer Green Bay club teammates.
“Daphne Blount, who I played club with as a 16-year-old, taught me how to be confident in myself and what a true leader looks like,” she said. “And my teammate Rachel Kluba taught me how to be positive no matter the situation and reminded me why I love this game so much.”
Vomastic played varsity all four years at Shawano and plans to continue her volleyball career in college, but before that, she has unfinished goals this year.
“State has been my goal from the very beginning,” she said. “I have faith in my team this year that we can make it.”
Both Vomastic and Young attribute this year’s success to the like-mindedness of the team’s players.
“We’re all really close,” Vomastic said. “Along with that, we have a lot of girls who can play anywhere and not just one specific spot, and a good amount of us have played year round in different clubs. In past years, we’ve lacked the closeness we have now.”
“I think we have a strong crew from start to finish,” Young said. “They’re a close group of kids and they’re not selfish. They want everyone on the team to be the best they can be. They’ve been working a lot on mental toughness this season and it definitely shows in their performance. To me, they define what it means to be a team.”
The team’s only loss was at its first tournament in late August. With six matches left in the regular season, Young is confident about a post-season opportunity.
“I think we have a good chance at a conference title if they continue to play together like they have been,” she said. “It’s great to see that our main goal at the beginning of the season is realistic and within reach now.”
Q&A with Averi
Q Where did your interest in volleyball begin?
A Back when I would watch my older sister, Courtney, playing in grade school I knew I wanted to play, but I didn’t start taking it serious until my freshman year after playing varsity and joining my club volleyball program.
Q What’s your favorite memory of playing Shawano volleyball?
A Being able to play with both of my sisters and, of course, yoga.
Q Do you have any pregame rituals?
A Not really. I just mentally prepare for the game and make sure the rest of the team gets pumped up.
Q What are your plans post-graduation?
A I plan on going out-of-state for college to study psychology, but I’m not sure which college yet.
Q What’s your favorite part of growing up in Shawano?
A Being close to family and going out on the lake.
Q Favorite TV show and movie?
A “Friends” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Nerve.”
Q Do you have a quote or verse that you live by?
A 1 Peter 4:8