ACADEMY VERSUS SCHOOL SOCCER

1,000 Digs for Stanfi ll

Avery Stanfi ll, the libero for the Westminster girls volleyball team, achieved 1,000 career digs against the Parkway West Longhorns.

Emma Fairchild

Staff Writer

Stanfi ll (12th), prepares to dig her opponent. Photo by Mia Schuelen.

Avery Stanfi ll (12th) and Yemi Daramola (12th) at photoshoot. Photo by Mia Schuelen.

While battling a tough opponent, Avery Stanfi ll, a Harding University commit, reached 1,000 digs. In the second set of the back and forth game against Parkway West, a team the cats will face in districts, unbeknownst to Stanfi ll and her teammates, she accomplished a milestone.

“Happy 1,000 digs to you! Happy 1,000 digs to you! Happy 1,000 digs dear Avery! Happy 1,000 digs to you,” is what Avery’s teammates belted out as she accomplished every libero’s dream.

The libero for the Westminster Wildcats has proven to be a key component to the team’s success since her freshman year starting on varsity. She has almost 300 digs for this season, even before postseason. She also averages around 3.5 digs per set.

“Avery impacts the team by always being the calm in the storm, when we are stressed and playing frantic, she is always the player who is calm, collected, and ready for anything,” says Alli Bishop, a crucial hitter for the cats.

Westminster is ranked #1 in the STL high school sports small school rankings and beating Parkway West, #2, was a big confi dence boost for the Cats. Previously in the season the team fell short to Parkway West at the Borgia tournament, with them claiming a win against Westminster. Stanfi ll had an impressive 19 digs against West to secure the win they needed.

“I’ve been playing since 3rd grade, so it’s been a huge part of my life. I’ve spent ““Avery is one of the most reliable people on the court. She’s the perfect teammate in my eyes because she always lifts me up.” countless hours in the gym and have loved working to get better each day. It was such a good feeling to reach 1,000 digs surrounded by my teammates,” says Stanfi ll after the intense game. Sophia Shaver, one of the setters for the Cats, says, ‘Everyone can rely on Avery in the back row and have faith in her that she will get the ball.” - Shelby Truitt (12), girls varsity The Wildcats faced the Longhorns last volleyball outside hitter. night in a heated battle that secured the Cats the District championship victory, and Stanfi ll came through yet again to help her team secure the win.