Port Jefferson girls volleyball player Ava Reilly is Newsday's Athlete of the Week
Port Jefferson girls volleyball player Ava Reilly. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
After trying other sports, Port Jefferson's Ava Reilly fell in love with volleyball in seventh grade, and ever since she earned herself a varsity callup in eighth grade, she hasn't looked back.
"I liked all sports in different ways, but volleyball was different," Reilly said. "I wanted to practice every day. I loved other sports, but I had more motivation for volleyball."
It certainly has paid off.
Reilly had 27 assists, surpassing 2,000 for her career, in a 25-5, 25-14, 25-6 win over Pierson/Bridgehampton in a Suffolk VIII matchup last Friday afternoon. The senior is the only one in program history to surpass 2,000 assists, according to coach CJ Hafner. She also had a kill, two aces, and four digs. For her efforts, Reilly is Newsday Athlete of the Week.
"It was cool to see her excited because she's usually straight-faced and she's focused," Hafner said. "It was great seeing her smile and her family out there, and it was exciting to be a part of that moment."
When Reilly reached the milestone, all she could do was revel in the moment.
"I reflected on how much work I put into this and how long I've been trying to get to this," Reilly said. "It was a big relief because I knew I could do it."
Reilly couldn't take all the credit. She praised her teammates for the historic accomplishment.
"I feel like my teammates really pushed me because I wouldn't be here if I didn't have a pass to set with, and a kill to get that assist with," Reilly said. "I'm very grateful that I could have those teammates who obviously really pushed me to get to this point."
Hafner believes Reilly can continue to add to her assist total and reach 2,500.
"She's someone who knows what it takes to win," Hafner said. "She always gives it her all, even at practice, she's going for every ball and diving all over the place."
In addition, Reilly maintains a 97.86 GPA and is a member of multiple clubs, including Varsity, Leo, and Interact, which emphasize youth leadership, community service, and fundraising. She is also committed to Johnson & Wales University, where she will major in health science on a pre-PA track and play volleyball.
"My goal is to help athletes and make them get back to playing as fast as they can," she said. "I've known for a while what I wanted to be. I've always wanted to be able to help others when I'm older."
She added, "I like to help others, I make sure I'm doing the best I can and fulfill that part of my life that I enjoy doing."
The Royals have won four straight county championships, and Reilly believes she can end her career with a fifth title.
"We've had a lot of high expectations for ourselves this year," Reilly said. "I think it would be cool to start my career and end it with a championship. We have a lot of potential this year."
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
