There are programs that dream of pushing a single player to milestone records like the 500 club. B-A’s varsity volleyball team had three girls reach a 500 landmark in a single week recently.
In the Lady Devil’s 3-0 sweep of Penn Cambria Avah Hassler, Ava Patton, and Addalyn Turek were all celebrated for reaching the 500 milestone. Hassler reached the mark for assists, Patton reached for digs, and Turek reached for kills.
“This milestone is a big accomplishment,” said Ava Patton, “It’s shows the time and effort put into volleyball has an outcome.”
Meanwhile, Turek said that reaching the milestone shows how hard the team has worked over the past four years.
Hassler said that reaching the milestone was an “honor.”
Four years ago when they began playing on the varsity volleyball team none of the girls ever envisioned reaching this milestone.
Hassler never even played her position of setter when she began playing volleyball in elementary school, so she never really dreamed of reaching landmark goals.
“I only became a setter my freshman year and only started two years, so it’s a huge honor but not something I ever envisioned,” she said.
Although they may not have started their freshman year, the three girls have been getting plenty of playing time since then. The girls have invested a lot of time into volleyball, all competing since long before their high school days for local travel teams.
“There are times where playing a sport for so long and so often can become very discouraging or uninteresting, but it’s moments like these that help you remember your love for the sport,” said Turek.
Patton added that moments like these make all of the time and effort worth it while Hassler stressed the effort it takes to do what the trio has done.
“We always put 100% into practices and games so it really means a lot,” Hassler said.
The volleyball team is now 9-6, and looking forward to making a late season push towards the playoffs. There’s no doubt Turek, Hassler, and Patton will be a big part of that move, and Coach Sophie Damiano will lean heavily on them. Damiano credited the trio for their efforts over the years.
“Avah, Addy and Ava have worked so hard in their volleyball careers,” she said. “It shows in these milestones. I’m so proud of their dedication to the sport and their will to always become better players. They serve as amazing role models for our young athletes.”
When asked about her future plans, Ava Patton said, “I plan on attending Saint Francis to continue my academic and athletic career, but it has not been decided for sure.”
Addy will continue her volleyball career at Clarion studying pre-med.
Hassler will not play volleyball in college. However, she said,“ I would like to focus on school and possibly track.”
Congratulations to these girls for reaching these huge accomplishments in their careers.
