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10/31/2024 12:00 AMVolleyball is a sport that truly needs every piece of the court functioning to its peak for the team to notch a point and subsequent set and match victories. For Ava Mazzotta, she takes this to heart and ensures that everyone can set themselves up to succeed while housing an open and sound mind.
Ava took part in gymnastics growing up, being a gymnast all the way up until COVID a few years ago. She had never stepped onto a court when she signed up for tryouts for H-K volleyball as a freshman, yet she made the team and the rest was history. After being part of a Cougars’ squad that reached a state championship last year as a junior, Ava has again made an impact on all fronts as a senior setter and captain this year for the Cougars, who have polished off an impressive 17-2 regular season mark.
“There is something about volleyball versus other team sports. It is truly a team sport where you depend on every other player. Each player has their own role and relies on every other person. You also have to maintain a sense of family on and off the court,” says Ava. “It is a very mental sport. It is a game of errors, such as if a ball drops or you simply can’t get to it in time. But I know I can always get the next point. The team has always helped me keep going and makes me realize that there are 25 points in each set. It is about how you come back from mistakes.”
As a setter, Ava is at the center of the offense and gives all the critical signals for it to function fluidly. She explains that whether she is laying up the ball for a kill, or is the one spiking it through to the floor, Ava is always grateful for the reactions she creates.
“There is more pressure as a setter, but with the responsibility, there is a bigger reward to it. You are like the quarterback; you have to run the offense and make sure everyone can successfully do their jobs,” says Ava. “When I have played as a hitter, it is an amazing feeling knowing you have the option to help the team by scoring points and setting them up for success. As a setter, it is great to see the reaction after a kill that you helped set.”
The Cougars had some preseason question marks after needing to fill voids from the state runner-up club. Though the girls have denied the doubters and answered questions emphatically by attacking each day with electric enthusiasm for the game.
“I feel it is very important to be a leader on and off the court and encourage each player. No one expected us to be as strong as we are this year. We have a strong chance of going far in states, so it is important that we stick together and bring each other up,” says Ava. “It is important to bring morale up while playing as a team and having fun. We all have the same goal and want to be successful.”
As an underclassman, Ava was too much concerned with the perception she thought her miscues would create. But she has learned that in such a mental sport, it is not advantageous to overthink and simply worry about what is in her grasp while constantly moving onward.
“As a sophomore, when I was thrown into varsity, I was very in my head because I was afraid of what players/coaches would think if I made a mistake,” says Ava. “I learned it is more about how you respond to a mistake rather than just making one. So now, I think about how to fix a mistake. I just think about all the different people that believe in me and rely on me. I can only control what I can control, so as long as I control my mindset, I can do anything. We also have very strong coaches that care about me and know what to say to help me.”
Head Coach Robin Callender details that Ava is someone who is a plug-and-play type athlete with her flexibility to move into different positions whenever required by the Cougars. It is that level of sacrifice and commitment, paired with her coachability that help net her a captain appointment.
“Ava is considered to be a dynamic athlete because of her work ethic, her genuine qualities, and her supportive demeanor. She is our setter, and she runs our offense. She also is an outstanding right side hitter, along with being able to be involved with our service,” said Callender. “She has always been driven to improve her performance in all aspects of volleyball. She is persistent with working hard towards achieving the team’s goals, as well as improving in her own game. When she was a sophomore on our team, we needed a setter, so she selflessly stepped up, and that got her voted captain. The biggest asset that Ava Mazzotta holds is that she is such a coachable student-athlete, and that is why her performance on the court will always exceed her coach's expectations.”
The Cougars’ first blemish on their stunning 2024 regular season run was against someone they are well familiar with and would like another crack at come playoff time. As Ava aims for even higher solo notoriety this postseason, she is more focused on the girls bringing home a championship plaque.
“As a team, we have high hopes and think we can go far,” says Ava. “Valley Regional was our first loss this year, but we would be excited to see them again. For states, we have looked at the different teams we could face, and we feel we have a strong shot to go far. I think people underestimated us for this year after losing five seniors, but we adapted and are stronger and better than ever. I want to enjoy the last few weeks of my senior year. I made Second Team All-Shoreline last year, so I am hoping to make All-State, but I am also hoping to grow as a teammate and captain.”