Fritz Racking Up the Kills as Our Newest County Athlete of the Week
Fayette Co. Record’s Athlete of the Week
Recent FCR’s Athlete of the Week
August 20: Hayden Splawn, La Grange football
August 27: Maddi Fritz, La Grange volleyball
* As we begin a new year of county player of the week features, read about the new honorees in our Friday editions and then watch their interviews on our Facebook page a few days later.
La Grange junior Maddi Fritz has played the role of head honcho for Leopards volleyball as she’s been consistently putting solid stats in the scorebook throughout the season.
Fritz has been a starter on the varsity team ever since her freshman year. In a match against Caldwell last week, Fritz swatted down 33 total kills. “She brings a wealth of experience,” said La Grange head volleyball coach Leslie Coltrain. “She’s played a lot of club ball, a lot of ball for us, and it shows. She knows the game really well. We’re asking her to take on a lot this year, setting and swinging, but I think she’s stepping up to the challenge.” Fritz has handled quite the workload this season and for the course of her career, making her our choice for this edition’s Player of the Week.
Question: How were you introduced to volleyball?
Answer: “I was actually introduced to volleyball from my mom because she used to be a coach. I got to spend a lot of time watching games. I really enjoyed it once I started getting into it.”
Question: Your mom was an all-state athlete in high school, what’s it like coming from an athletic family?
Answer: “They really push me. I feel like I’m definitely pushed to my limits and I really like that because I can be the best version of myself that I can be.”
Question: Do you play any other sports besides volleyball?
Answer: “Last year I played tennis and basketball but this year I’m going to be focusing on just volleyball.”
Question: What’s your favorite food?
Answer: “I would have to go with cheese ravioli.”
Question: Who’s a person you look up to the most? Answer: “I really look up to my mom. She really inspires me.”
Question: How do you prepare for a match?
Answer: “Preparing for a match is mainly a mental thing. You want to get warmed up and all that, but you also need to have a clear mind and go into a match ready to win.”
Question: What would you say is the best part about playing volleyball?
Answer: “Definitely celebrating wins with my team. It’s really exciting getting a good kill after fighting so hard and just all coming together to celebrate.”
Question: Where’s your favorite school to play other than La Grange?
Answer: “I really like Columbus’ gym.”
Question: What’s your music of choice?
Answer: “I listen to all sorts of music, but I really enjoy country music.”
Question: How are you planning on keeping pace throughout the season with this great year you’re having?
Answer: “We really need to keep our energy going. We always need to have energy in practice, energy in games. I feel like that is a big part of the game, so that will help us win.”
Fritz is the kind of player you would want on your team with her leadership and sheer athleticism.