When Oswego’s Ava Flanigan began her volleyball career, she never could have anticipated setting so many statistical records along the way for her high school program.
But that’s how it has played out for the 5-foot-11 senior setter.
Flanigan broke Oswego’s record for assists in a recent win over Minooka. Then on Thursday against Oswego East, she passed 1,500 career assists. And she’s got a lot more to go as well.
“It was kind of a surprise,” Flanigan said. “I never figured it out, even when I hit 1,000 assists. When my coach (Gary Mosley) surprised me when I got to 1,500, it was kind of surreal.
“It’s amazing to experience this with all of my best friends.”
Mosley knows that much of the attention surrounding record-setting Oswego (21-3, 7-0) centers on the team’s two talented outside hitters in Sidney Hamaker (Long Beach State) and Mia Jurkovic (Western Michigan).
He confirmed, however, that the engine driving the Panthers is Flanigan.
“People want to talk about Sidney and Mia,” Mosley said. “I have to remind them they’re not swinging like that if she’s not getting the ball up. She’s a captain for a reason.”
Flanigan was named a captain before her junior year and has maintained that role as a seasoned senior. What strikes Mosley about Flanigan is her work ethic. The team follows her lead.
“Ava is the epitome of who we are as a team,” Mosley said. “They just go about their business every single day. They never complain. They just come in and grind every single day.
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“Ava embodies the whole team.”
For her part, Hamaker doesn’t take for granted that she has a rock-solid setter running the show.
“It’s awesome,” Hamaker said. “We would be in a much different position without Ava. I don’t know what we’d do without her. She’s the glue. She’s definitely one of the hardest workers on the team.
“I think Ava, being a captain, she really takes that to heart.”
Flanigan doesn’t take the responsibility lightly.
“It was an honor, especially being a junior,” Flanigan said. “It’s an amazing feeling. To have that role and be a role model and helping keep the team together, it’s great.”
She also likes being involved for the whole match from her setter position.
“I love the creativity and making the plays and always being a part of every play and giving the hitters the best situation possible,” Flanigan said. “It’s great to be in the center of it all.”
Hamaker said it has been fun seeing Flanigan receive accolades after what she has meant to the team.
“She just puts the ball in such good spots for all of us,” Hamaker said. “She’s great at every aspect of the game. It’s just fun to see our class do that. She’s been breaking records, and I’ve been breaking records. She’ll have that record for a long time.”
The Panthers are seeking the program’s first-ever conference title and are perfect with four matches to go before the playoffs. Their only three losses have come to state contenders Benet, Lincoln-Way East and St. Charles North. Oswego avenged the loss to the North Stars at Saturday’s St. Charles East Scholastic Cup.
It’s rare to see a confluence of talent and timing come together like it has this season for Oswego. While remaining focused on every match, Hamaker realizes this is a unique opportunity.
“We know this is the year for us,” Hamaker said. “It’s super important to take advantage of it. We don’t have another chance next year. We all have that in the back of our minds, take it seriously.”
Flanigan is ready for the challenge.
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“We’re definitely excited about it,” Flanigan said. “We have such amazing talent. We have high goals. Everyone is all on board.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.