After countless hours spent on the court and traveling all around the country for tournaments, senior volleyball player Avery Weslow can add one more highlight to her high school career. She has been named a Miss Michigan Volleyball finalist. 

This year, Weslow joins recent graduate from the class of 2021 Brooklyn Connor as the second-ever person from FHC to be named a finalist for this prestigious award. 

The Miss Michigan Volleyball Award is a distinguished high school honor. Weslow was happy to be named a finalist, and she recognized some familiar faces in the same place as her.

“I was definitely really excited [to be nominated],” Weslow said. “I know a lot of the players who were nominated were also on my club team, so it was fun that we all got nominated together. “

Weslow has been around volleyball since she was five years old, but her family has been around the sport for a much longer period of time. Her older sister Reese also played volleyball and acted as a role model for Weslow.

“My sister played before me, and she played Division I volleyball at the University of Miami (Ohio), so she definitely has given me advice,” Weslow said. “I’ve practiced with her in the backyard, and I got to sit on the bench when she played club. I’ve just been a part of that and the club for a really long time. “

To be named a finalist for an award like this is not something many players can say they have achieved in their high school athletic careers. Only ten players throughout the entire state are nominated for the award each year. The nomination is considered to be a major accomplishment. 

“It means a lot [to be nominated] for all the hard work I’ve put in because I’ve played volleyball for ten years,” said Weslow. 

After being nominated for an award as prestigious as Miss Michigan Volleyball, Weslow caught a lot of people’s attention, especially her coach and teammates. 

“I definitely got a lot of love and support. A lot of people texted me,“ Weslow said. “They were posting on a lot of social media platforms, so that was kind of fun to just have my name out there and for people to know. “

Thankful for the unwavering amount of support given by her team, Weslow gave credit back to her teammates for playing a part in creating who she is as an athlete. 

“They push me to be a better player, and they support me,” Weslow said. “They give me their trust so that I can follow through in a game. “ 

Weslow also gave credit to a former teammate of hers for helping influence how she performs as a player and acts as a person.

 “Sarah Dunn, who was on the FHC varsity volleyball team last year, pushed me to be a better player, a better person, and she was a great role model on and off the court,” Weslow said. 

Navigating through life when you’re a big-time player like Weslow can be difficult. Other than the support received from her coach and teammates, Weslow’s parents have also been backing her by acting as a support system. 

“They have given me nothing but love and support,” Weslow said. “They pay for me to go play and travel across the country. “

Even after becoming a nominee for Miss Michigan Volleyball, Weslow still has goals for herself.

“My goals for myself are just to be the best that I can be and to contribute as much as I can towards my team,” Weslow said. “Whether that’s in club or high school so that we can perform the best we can.”

Thinking further ahead and more towards what lies next, Weslow has more of a long-term goal. 

“My long-term goal is definitely that I was going to play in college,” Weslow said. “But now I feel like it’s just for my last year to have fun and to end with a winning season. To just have fun with my teammates. “

While in the middle of her last high school season that she’ll ever play as a Ranger, Weslow said that the nomination will affect how she closes out her career. 

“It can definitely give me a boost of confidence and just something to work for,” she said. “I have the nomination, so I need to play like it.”