Former Vermilion coach and now Avon Coach Kara Coffman didn’t waste any time getting ready for the 2023 season.
Following a summer of preparation, the Eagles, who were once young, are ready to take the next step and contend for the Southwestern Conference championship.
High school volleyball: Vermilion’s Kara Coffman departs for Avon coaching job
"(Coaching at Avon) has been awesome. It's been such a great summer. it's been so fun. What I really admire about these girls is their work ethic and their want to win," Coffman said.
Avon graduated few starters from last year's team, which went 9-14 (7-7 in SWC). The Eagles faced a brutal nonconference schedule combined with SWC play. The growing pains were temporary, and with a two-time district championship coach at the helm, the Eagles are excited to prosper.
"I think (Coffman) brings a lot of competitiveness, and I think that she brings that edge of being a former (recent) player, coming off of a bunch of wins and being from Vermilion. She brings (the pedigree) onto our court, which is what I love," sophomore Londyn Stone said.
According to Stone, who was a freshman at the time, the five-set loss to Wadsworth in the first round of the 2022 Division I tournament took a toll and motivated her to ensure it wouldn't happen again.
Avon vs. Wadsworth volleyball: Eagles eliminated in five-set thriller after comeback bid falls short
"Personally, I wanted to push myself to the limit (this offseason), because I did not like losing that match," she said. "I gave it my all for that. I definitely think we should have won. I know coming into this year, for our conference, we have to redeem ourselves because we have something to prove."
Stone may be one of the main targets to set in the front row. However, she has a solid duo partner with teammate Grace Busold and is surrounded with a deep hitting staff.
"It's really relieving (to have a lot of hitters)," Avon setter Kamryn Danielson said. "It takes a lot of the pressure off the setter. All I have to do is put up a good ball and I know that any one of them can do their job. I have trust in all of them."
Coffman took parts of her 6-2 system that she had in Vermilion and brought it to Avon, as setters Lily Hamilton and Danielson will share the responsibilities.
"The sets are fast and it all jells together," Danielson said. "It makes it hard for other teams to block, but at the same time, it make it easier for us to block other teams."
One of Avon's goals is to compete for the SWC championship. The team sees a lot of potential. However, the SWC proved time-and-time again from years past that it's one of the toughest volleyball conferences in Ohio.
Avon Lake and Avon could potentially be the two top contenders for the titles, following large talent departures from Amherst and Olmsted Falls.
The Avon Lake vs. Avon showdown will take place on Sept. 14, with plenty of games in between. That being the case, the Eagles like their chances to compete for the top spot.
"I think that we have a really good chance (for a SWC title). There is some really good competition, but I am hoping that if we keep our energy and competitiveness this year, I think we got it," Stone said.
