Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Volleyball standout
Fitzgerald expanding her game on and off the floor.
Fort Smith Southside’s Avery Fitzgerald put up monster numbers as a sophomore outside hitter, but her game has grown both on and off the court heading into this season.
She put down kills with regularity a year ago helping the Mavericks claim the 6A-Central Conference title and advance to the 6A state finals.
Southside came up short in its bid for a state title, but Fitzgerald is back this season looking to help the Mavericks take the next step.
Fitzgerald worked to become a better passer in the offseason in order to become a more solid six-rotation player. She acknowledged working to have a better mental approach has also been a focus.
“Last year, my attitude, my mental mindset on the court was a bit rough,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m working on that. It’s getting a lot better I think. I just got down on myself and I’ve tried to work through that during the club season.”
Her club coach talked to Fitzgerald during the summer about it, then she heard almost the same message from first-year Southside coach Natalie Thornberry. Then it finally clicked.
“My club coach told me ‘it’s not about you, it’s about your team.’ That really stuck in my mind,” Fitzgerald said. “I was like ‘it’s a sign, I really need to listen to them.’”
The Lady Mavericks got their leadership from a big senior class a year ago, but they graduated and more of that role has fallen on Fitzgerald’s shoulders this season, too. Throneberry likes what she’s seen from her in that respect.
“She’s gone from that player that needed to be led to a player who is leading,” Throneberry said. “Not only leading but leading by example and leading by her actions and her words.
The slender 6-foot junior earned all-state honors as a sophomore and was regarded as one of the top outside hitters in the state. Fitzgerald has not rested on her laurels.
She’s improved her passing and defense to become a more complete player and also added a new serve, Throneberry said.
“The good thing about this kid is when she’s passing and she’s on defense, she’s just as big an offensive threat on the back row as she is on the front row,” Throneberry said.
Throneberry said she struggles for words at the progress Fitzgerald has made overall from her sophomore to her junior season.
“Last year she was a state kid for us, she put up numbers,” Throneberry said. “Getting to add the digs, a new serve and more attacks from the back row. I’m just really proud of her.”
Fitzgerald verbally committed to play volleyball at Mississippi State prior to her sophomore year and she’s not wavering from that commitment.
“I went on an unofficial visit then and when me the players I was like ‘wow, I fit in perfectly here,’” Fitzgerald said. “Some of them have the same goofiness that I do.”
But it’s down to serious business with conference play cranking up for Fitzgerald and the Mavericks. Southside dropped its 6A-Central opener on the road to defending