Junior midfielder Avianna Hernandez always wants to challenge herself.
Being in the center of the attack is a natural challenge. Transferring to South Elgin as a sophomore after playing her freshman season at Larkin would qualify as another challenge.
She made a seamless transition to playing for the Storm. She also made it look easy.
“The environment and everything I experienced was so welcoming from the other girls and it made it easier to get along on and off the field,” Hernandez said. “We had a lot of team bonding.
“Our connection on the field improved because of how comfortable we were with each other.”
Last season, Hernandez used her technical ability and superb feel for the game to become an instant hit at South Elgin. She scored 13 goals and posted a team-best 18 assists.
In the process, Hernandez earned all-state and all-area recognition.
“The talent and the competition level was much higher than it was at Larkin, and that pushed me to be better,” she said. “I also think the talent I brought to the team pushed the other girls to be at the same level.
“We all piggybacked off of each other.”
The Storm will boast an elite offensive attack behind Hernandez, who is one of four returning double-figure goal scorers, helped by the team-best 26 goals of junior forward Nevaeh Gyurko.
South Elgin also boasts two high-scoring sophomores in forward Christina Slovik, who scored 18 goals last spring, and midfielder Lucy Tomasi, who followed with 12 goals.
The four players accounted for 72 of the Storm’s 84 goals.
Like basketball, soccer is highly dependent upon chemistry and awareness of how the different players interact and play off each other. Hernandez both fit in and stood out.
“Avi transferring to our team was huge,” Gyurko said. “She does a fantastic job of reading the game, especially when we are attacking. Everything just clicked between us.
“The timing and placement of her passes were always exactly where I needed them to be.”
Her technical and skill level proved a vital part that impacted every facet of the game, according to senior central defender Ashley Gonzalez.
“It was just noticed immediately what a great fit Avi was for our team, not only tactically or skill based, but also by the connections we had with her as friends and teammates,” Gonzalez said.
“She just brings out everybody’s best. Even with her transferring last year, she is becoming a leader. She has a huge effect, and contributes so much to the play.”
Hernandez was not a complete unknown, however.
She went to grammar school with several players on the Storm. Senior defender Jateme Owens played with her at Larkin during her freshman year and also made the switch to South Elgin.
“Avi has a calmness to her game,” South Elgin coach Jerzy Skowron said. “She’s so silky smooth with the ball at her feet. It’s no wonder we had the offensive success we had last year.
“She’s a special talent and a special person. She slipped under the radar last year. She won’t be able to do that anymore. She’s not fazed by it. She embraces it.”
The 5-foot-6 Hernandez balances quickness and a natural poise. She connects passion, excitement and freedom with playing soccer.
“I just think whenever I’m on the field, I can let everything go and just focus on the game,” she said. “That part just brings me joy and not having to worry about anything else.
“Ever since I was little, I hated losing. My family said I was a sore loser. I’ve always been adventurous and wanted to try out things.”
Her greatest pleasure, though, is seeing others excel.
“I think seeing my friends and teammates succeed through me is what I love the most,” she said. “I love seeing that on the field and I am ready to do it again.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
