St. Francis’ Hensley itching
for Spartans swan song
By Chris Walker
This is supposed to be Ava Hensley’s breakthrough year.
She was on the sidelines at a club game in 2016 when her older sister Claire clobbered heads with an opponent on a 50/50 ball that led her to the emergency room with a concussion and three broken bones. Seeing something so horrific happen to someone she loves so much wasn’t forgotten.
Freshman year in 2017 brought a cool, new experience – getting to be teammates with Claire on the high school team. It was a good season for the Spartans, who finished 11-6-3 and won a regional title before falling to Hinsdale South on a wet night in sectional play. The loss only furthered the team’s desire for a deep postseason run.
Sophomore year in 2018 was unforgettable, but not one without its share of adversity. The Spartans were dominant during their run toward the Class AA state title, outscoring opponents 34-1 during the seven games of the state series, including a 4-0 title game victory over Saint Viator. Hensley fought through the pain of a fractured ankle to contribute to the championship run of a team that was led by her sister Claire and other upperclassmen like Kendra Pasquale, Erin Peck, Hannah Rittenhouse, Caroline Zimmer and Jill DiTusa.
Junior year in 2019 had its moments, but Hensley wasn’t herself for most of the season after being involved in a car accident. While she didn’t use it as an excuse, it beat her up physically and kept her from playing to her full potential while the Spartans finished just 6-8-4 against a very tough schedule, their first losing season in 13 years.
Now healthy, excited and locked in for a great senior year, Hensley finds herself locked down with the soccer season on an indefinite hold due to the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. What a bad, bad break.
“She was ready to roll, and hopefully we’ll get a chance to see her play and really stand out like she can,” St. Francis coach Jim Winslow said. “Fingers and toes are crossed. I think it’s hard on all seniors, but especially Ava, Emily (Thill) and Bella (DeFeo) who have bided their time to have this opportunity. Here it is now and if you’re talking about playing in the spring, it doesn’t look good. That may change quickly. The way things are changing on a daily basis, you can hold out hope, but who knows?”
Hensley was generous enough to talk to Chicagoland Soccer recently on a Friday night, which probably wouldn’t have happened during a typical season. Not that she wouldn’t want to talk to the publication that provides the best and most comprehensive high school soccer coverage anywhere while celebrating The Beautiful Game and spotlighting the student/athletes and educator/coaches who honor the sport with their desire, dedication and passion. But because it was a Friday night and honestly, kids have more entertaining things to do than talk to a sportswriter.
In reality, she was out helping deliver food with an uncle before giving Chicagoland Soccer a call.
“Well, before this (coronavirus) I was really only home to eat and sleep with soccer and everything,” she said. “I would be gone or doing private training or hanging with friends and then finally come home. Now my sister is home, and my dad’s home a lot. He hadn’t been home this long since I was born, because he’s traveling a lot. So it’s a neat experience being back together, but I need my space.”
Now she finds her getting that alone time while getting out and about.
"The other day my mom didn’t want me going (to a particular school’s soccer field), so I just put on my raincoat and ran in the neighborhood,” she said. “I kept my schedule going. I’ve got to keep in shape and with my touches. My parents won’t let me hang out with people and run and play soccer, but I get out everyday to get in my run and do some soccer training.”
With that kind of discipline, it’s not the least bit surprising that Hensley recently made her commitment to play soccer at Eastern Illinois University.
“It was just three weeks ago, so I was pretty blessed to be on campus before all of this hit,” she said. “I had to cancel another college visit and at the end of the day, it’s the right place for me. I like the mentality of the coaches they have here to win and have a good time.
“They are focused on their players. It’s not like the players get there and never grow as a person so the players can reach the best they can be. I found that they’re close. It’s a family atmosphere and the girls seem close and happy to be a part of it. And (the university is) close-by, so I can have family out there for a few games, which is awesome.”
Winslow wants to see Hensley do her thing for the Spartans this spring, but at the same time, he’s excited to see what she can in the fall in Charleston, Ill. Though he's willing to wait on the latter.
“I’ve been so impressed with Ava during the whole process,” Winslow said. “She will be able to contribute right away, and it’s a good fit for her academically. The cool part is mom and dad can get to see her play. I give her a lot of credit for being patient in the process.”
The patience of Hensley and every other high school athlete is being tested right now due to the shutdown. But she’s mature enough to recognize that the situation is beyond her control so getting overly bent out of shape about it will do more harm than good.
Furthermore, she has already fought through her share of adversity as an athlete so while it’s disappointing to be sidelined, it’s just another obstacle that she has faith she’ll overcome regardless if she ever plays another high school game.
“I’ve been raised to help put others before yourself, and I know we have it good,” she said. “I try to keep others in the back of my mind, so even when I’m having a bad day I know there are others who have it worse. I like to volunteer and help people. I know I’m so blessed to be able to play the next four years at a competitive college close to home and some of these girls won’t be able to. So I’m excited for the next four years, but I feel bad for everyone now. We all want to have a season.”
She said she’s keeping positive, in part, because Winslow is sharing that message, just like she’s cherished playing for the aforementioned coach who knows mistakes happen, but also wants his players to be accountable and to learn from them. How else will you get better while maintaining your passion for the game?
“Winslow has made it easier for me to let it go when I make a mistake,” she said. “He wants us to keep playing and one thing that he has taught me, and I’ll carry it into college, is you can’t let one mistake affect your game. And others can see that ripple effect and one thing we’ve done coming into this year is focus on keeping a positive mindset, and we’re talking everyday and have video chat groups with the team for workouts, and it’s all been really good.”
Last year wasn’t so good. Though Hensley wouldn’t use it as an excuse, she truly wasn’t herself. It certainly wasn’t easy to try to play at her level against good teams with a neck and back that were as stiff, if not stiffer, than the competition.
“My back and neck were pretty messed up from the accident, and I did feel like I was in physical therapy everyday for almost a year,” she said. “Even now when someone hits the brakes too hard, it’s like PTSD. I was lucky I didn’t break anything, but I was hesitant going for headers and not ready for some things. I definitely had some hesitancy for some stuff, but it’s like I’m just too competitive to want to take a day off. I wanted to help my team out.”
The day of the accident, Claire was one of the first people she phoned.
“We’re super close so she was the second person I called,” she said. “I remember saying, ‘I have to go, I love you,” and she said she loved me too and to please be safe, and that everything would be ok. She was away at school at the time. I miss playing with her.”
The sisters are competitive, although Ava said that Claire is pretty much great at everything she does.
‘We did horseback riding, and Claire was amazing. I was more of a barrel racer, and she was perfect,” she said. “She’s super good at piano. She was insanely good with softball and volleyball. ... We’ll do a lot of little competitions, like we played bags the other day. She’s just like really good at stuff.”
Soccer has been the common athletic bond.
“Soccer is what stuck for me,” she said. “I fell in love with it before (Claire). I’m so happy we found a sport that we both love.”
As she recovered from the accident and continued playing soccer she received tremendous support at home, including from her dad Mike, who is a former NIU football player. He’s been able to offer guidance and advice typical of a parent, along with the bonus of having lived the life of a high-level student-athlete.
“Honestly, my dad helped me a lot because I got flustered a little bit, and he’s helped now since the season is postponed,” she said. “He reminds me to keep my head up. He says you can’t ever let it drop so you’ve got to keep going and there’s like nothing we can do to change what’s happening so make the best out of it. I love my dad. He’s one of my best friends, and he puts everything into perspective. He’s kind of taught me that my whole life.”
Attending St. Francis has also been huge for Hensley. The school strives to guide its students toward living the Gospel values, which will make a difference in the world. As someone who continues to do her part to help others, as well as lead a spiritual life, Hensley makes sure to maintain a relationship with God.
“That’s a big part of my life,” she said. “I decided to get baptized when I was 13, and that was a decision I made on my own. My parents were very proud of my decision and none of them are Catholic. It’s something that has helped me get through a lot of challenges. I can always send a prayer up and someone is listening. It’s something me and Claire have in common. She used to wear a prayer card under her shin guards.”
Attaching shin guards and running onto a field for a game may seem like a lifetime ago now, but there’s still hope it’ll happen again in May.
“It’s a bummer because she’s a smart kid, has a really good mind for the game, and she just gets it,” Winslow said. “She understands the game is much more than putting on cleats and playing. I hope like heck I get to see her play again.”
for Spartans swan song
By Chris Walker
This is supposed to be Ava Hensley’s breakthrough year.
She was on the sidelines at a club game in 2016 when her older sister Claire clobbered heads with an opponent on a 50/50 ball that led her to the emergency room with a concussion and three broken bones. Seeing something so horrific happen to someone she loves so much wasn’t forgotten.
Freshman year in 2017 brought a cool, new experience – getting to be teammates with Claire on the high school team. It was a good season for the Spartans, who finished 11-6-3 and won a regional title before falling to Hinsdale South on a wet night in sectional play. The loss only furthered the team’s desire for a deep postseason run.
Sophomore year in 2018 was unforgettable, but not one without its share of adversity. The Spartans were dominant during their run toward the Class AA state title, outscoring opponents 34-1 during the seven games of the state series, including a 4-0 title game victory over Saint Viator. Hensley fought through the pain of a fractured ankle to contribute to the championship run of a team that was led by her sister Claire and other upperclassmen like Kendra Pasquale, Erin Peck, Hannah Rittenhouse, Caroline Zimmer and Jill DiTusa.
Junior year in 2019 had its moments, but Hensley wasn’t herself for most of the season after being involved in a car accident. While she didn’t use it as an excuse, it beat her up physically and kept her from playing to her full potential while the Spartans finished just 6-8-4 against a very tough schedule, their first losing season in 13 years.
Now healthy, excited and locked in for a great senior year, Hensley finds herself locked down with the soccer season on an indefinite hold due to the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. What a bad, bad break.
“She was ready to roll, and hopefully we’ll get a chance to see her play and really stand out like she can,” St. Francis coach Jim Winslow said. “Fingers and toes are crossed. I think it’s hard on all seniors, but especially Ava, Emily (Thill) and Bella (DeFeo) who have bided their time to have this opportunity. Here it is now and if you’re talking about playing in the spring, it doesn’t look good. That may change quickly. The way things are changing on a daily basis, you can hold out hope, but who knows?”
Hensley was generous enough to talk to Chicagoland Soccer recently on a Friday night, which probably wouldn’t have happened during a typical season. Not that she wouldn’t want to talk to the publication that provides the best and most comprehensive high school soccer coverage anywhere while celebrating The Beautiful Game and spotlighting the student/athletes and educator/coaches who honor the sport with their desire, dedication and passion. But because it was a Friday night and honestly, kids have more entertaining things to do than talk to a sportswriter.
In reality, she was out helping deliver food with an uncle before giving Chicagoland Soccer a call.
“Well, before this (coronavirus) I was really only home to eat and sleep with soccer and everything,” she said. “I would be gone or doing private training or hanging with friends and then finally come home. Now my sister is home, and my dad’s home a lot. He hadn’t been home this long since I was born, because he’s traveling a lot. So it’s a neat experience being back together, but I need my space.”
Now she finds her getting that alone time while getting out and about.
"The other day my mom didn’t want me going (to a particular school’s soccer field), so I just put on my raincoat and ran in the neighborhood,” she said. “I kept my schedule going. I’ve got to keep in shape and with my touches. My parents won’t let me hang out with people and run and play soccer, but I get out everyday to get in my run and do some soccer training.”
With that kind of discipline, it’s not the least bit surprising that Hensley recently made her commitment to play soccer at Eastern Illinois University.
“It was just three weeks ago, so I was pretty blessed to be on campus before all of this hit,” she said. “I had to cancel another college visit and at the end of the day, it’s the right place for me. I like the mentality of the coaches they have here to win and have a good time.
“They are focused on their players. It’s not like the players get there and never grow as a person so the players can reach the best they can be. I found that they’re close. It’s a family atmosphere and the girls seem close and happy to be a part of it. And (the university is) close-by, so I can have family out there for a few games, which is awesome.”
Winslow wants to see Hensley do her thing for the Spartans this spring, but at the same time, he’s excited to see what she can in the fall in Charleston, Ill. Though he's willing to wait on the latter.
“I’ve been so impressed with Ava during the whole process,” Winslow said. “She will be able to contribute right away, and it’s a good fit for her academically. The cool part is mom and dad can get to see her play. I give her a lot of credit for being patient in the process.”
The patience of Hensley and every other high school athlete is being tested right now due to the shutdown. But she’s mature enough to recognize that the situation is beyond her control so getting overly bent out of shape about it will do more harm than good.
Furthermore, she has already fought through her share of adversity as an athlete so while it’s disappointing to be sidelined, it’s just another obstacle that she has faith she’ll overcome regardless if she ever plays another high school game.
“I’ve been raised to help put others before yourself, and I know we have it good,” she said. “I try to keep others in the back of my mind, so even when I’m having a bad day I know there are others who have it worse. I like to volunteer and help people. I know I’m so blessed to be able to play the next four years at a competitive college close to home and some of these girls won’t be able to. So I’m excited for the next four years, but I feel bad for everyone now. We all want to have a season.”
She said she’s keeping positive, in part, because Winslow is sharing that message, just like she’s cherished playing for the aforementioned coach who knows mistakes happen, but also wants his players to be accountable and to learn from them. How else will you get better while maintaining your passion for the game?
“Winslow has made it easier for me to let it go when I make a mistake,” she said. “He wants us to keep playing and one thing that he has taught me, and I’ll carry it into college, is you can’t let one mistake affect your game. And others can see that ripple effect and one thing we’ve done coming into this year is focus on keeping a positive mindset, and we’re talking everyday and have video chat groups with the team for workouts, and it’s all been really good.”
Last year wasn’t so good. Though Hensley wouldn’t use it as an excuse, she truly wasn’t herself. It certainly wasn’t easy to try to play at her level against good teams with a neck and back that were as stiff, if not stiffer, than the competition.
“My back and neck were pretty messed up from the accident, and I did feel like I was in physical therapy everyday for almost a year,” she said. “Even now when someone hits the brakes too hard, it’s like PTSD. I was lucky I didn’t break anything, but I was hesitant going for headers and not ready for some things. I definitely had some hesitancy for some stuff, but it’s like I’m just too competitive to want to take a day off. I wanted to help my team out.”
The day of the accident, Claire was one of the first people she phoned.
“We’re super close so she was the second person I called,” she said. “I remember saying, ‘I have to go, I love you,” and she said she loved me too and to please be safe, and that everything would be ok. She was away at school at the time. I miss playing with her.”
The sisters are competitive, although Ava said that Claire is pretty much great at everything she does.
‘We did horseback riding, and Claire was amazing. I was more of a barrel racer, and she was perfect,” she said. “She’s super good at piano. She was insanely good with softball and volleyball. ... We’ll do a lot of little competitions, like we played bags the other day. She’s just like really good at stuff.”
Soccer has been the common athletic bond.
“Soccer is what stuck for me,” she said. “I fell in love with it before (Claire). I’m so happy we found a sport that we both love.”
As she recovered from the accident and continued playing soccer she received tremendous support at home, including from her dad Mike, who is a former NIU football player. He’s been able to offer guidance and advice typical of a parent, along with the bonus of having lived the life of a high-level student-athlete.
“Honestly, my dad helped me a lot because I got flustered a little bit, and he’s helped now since the season is postponed,” she said. “He reminds me to keep my head up. He says you can’t ever let it drop so you’ve got to keep going and there’s like nothing we can do to change what’s happening so make the best out of it. I love my dad. He’s one of my best friends, and he puts everything into perspective. He’s kind of taught me that my whole life.”
Attending St. Francis has also been huge for Hensley. The school strives to guide its students toward living the Gospel values, which will make a difference in the world. As someone who continues to do her part to help others, as well as lead a spiritual life, Hensley makes sure to maintain a relationship with God.
“That’s a big part of my life,” she said. “I decided to get baptized when I was 13, and that was a decision I made on my own. My parents were very proud of my decision and none of them are Catholic. It’s something that has helped me get through a lot of challenges. I can always send a prayer up and someone is listening. It’s something me and Claire have in common. She used to wear a prayer card under her shin guards.”
Attaching shin guards and running onto a field for a game may seem like a lifetime ago now, but there’s still hope it’ll happen again in May.
“It’s a bummer because she’s a smart kid, has a really good mind for the game, and she just gets it,” Winslow said. “She understands the game is much more than putting on cleats and playing. I hope like heck I get to see her play again.”