By Helen Chizmazia – Staff Reporter

Law senior volleyball player Avery Fitzgerald recently was named second team All-State following the 2021 fall season. 

Fitzgerald, Law’s middle hitter, was also named first team All-SCC. Fitzgerald has 245 kills and 49 blocks for the 2021 season. She also has 22 digs and 33 aces. 

Fitzgerald plays CT Juniors club volleyball during the winter season and said the year-long practices helped her during the high school season. 

“I think a lot of practice time during school season and travel volleyball season has added up to me being the player I am today,” Fitzgerald said. “I have done CT Juniors Travel in the winter since last year, and did the state program on Sundays sophomore year, which has really helped me to get more practice time in. This upcoming season, I’m going to play for the U18 travel team which will hopefully help any other upcoming volleyball in my future.”

Fitzgerald has participated in club volleyball for the past two years to further her volleyball skills. 

“My motivators for volleyball are my drive to be the best at anything I do, and how badly I want to help my team win,” Fitzgerald said. “I would love to win as many games as possible, and help that with my blocks, kills, passes, and serves.”

The Law girls volleyball team finished the season with a record of 15-8 overall. They made it to the semifinals of the SCC Tournament and to the first round of states. 

Now that her high school volleyball career is over, Fitzgerald reflected on her time at Law.

“My biggest high school volleyball accomplishments have been the Most Improved Award at my sophomore banquet awards ceremony at Law, being able to practice with varsity for SCCs my sophomore year, playing varsity my junior and senior year, going All- SCC First team my senior year, and going All-State second team my senior year,” Fitzgerald said. 

This is Fitzgerald’s fifth year playing volleyball overall. She credited her coaches for helping her to a successful high school career.

“I give full credit to the coaching I’ve been blessed to receive from my coaches at Law, CT Juniors, and clinics which I am so thankful for,” Fitzgerald said. 

Head coach Ms. Loch and JV coach Ms. Reed worked hard this season to guarantee success for their teams.

“I think the team was a lot closer this year just because we all expected it to be bonding solely inside of the gym, so we bonded and made as many relationships as we could while at practice, games, or on the bus,” Fitzgerald said.