Athletes of the Week March 21
Ava Calciano
This returning first-team all-state softball player has picked up where she left off in the 2024 season, slamming three homers in Cape’s final preseason scrimmage against Delmar March 19. So far, she has gone 8-for-13 with a triple, six homers and 14 RBIs. She slammed two homers against Indian River last week. A shortstop, Ava led Cape in most offensive categories in 2024, posting a .476 average, 30 hits, 30 runs, nine doubles, five triples, five home runs, 20 stolen bases and 24 RBIs from the lead-off position. In the 2024 DIAA playoffs, this University of Connecticut commit homered to lead off the bottom of the first in the DIAA state tournament win over Polytech, and had a grand slam and triple in Cape’s DIAA quarterfinal road upset win over Saint Mark’s to help lead the Vikings to their first state semifinal appearance in over a decade. An honors and AP student, Ava also led the volleyball squad with 39 aces last fall to help lead the squad to the Henlopen Conference Championship and the second round of the state tournament.
Jahmari Davis
Jahmari has played the creator's game for seven years now and enters his senior year at Sussex Academy as a key part of the boys' lacrosse team's defensive midfield unit. A short-stick defensive middie by trade, Jah is usually good for forcing his mark to consider alternative options to taking him on straight up. After running cross country in the fall and playing basketball in the winter, Jah is finally to the sport he loves most. While he plays an unheralded position on the stat sheet, except for groundballs, he relishes his role and thinks he is the man to help an area of great need on any team. After graduating, Jah will enroll in the United States Merchant Marine Academy and wants to serve something greater than himself. He sees it as an opportunity to create future pathways and is intent on improving himself as he goes on in life. For anyone considering the armed forces, he thinks it’s important to weigh all options, talk to family and follow your heart.
Ally Diehl
Ally is a fluid speedster cut from the Cape cloth of Alec Perry and Alia Marshall. She is a whisper jet. Just a sophomore, she has two field hockey championships and one lacrosse state title in her back pocket. In her eighth-grade year at Beacon, under coach Lynn Richardson, the field hockey and lacrosse teams didn’t lose a game. “We play hard and like to win at Cape, but we’re not afraid to lose. I’d say we enjoy playing together. After losing a dozen seniors, more opportunities are created,” Ally said. Coach Lindsey Underwood: “Ally really stood out in the scrimmages with her athleticism and ability to get up and down the field. She is working on different draw control looks which will be crucial as the season progresses.” Last season, Grace Wiggins and Lulu Rishko carried the action in the midfield. “Now this year, it's time for me and others to step it up,” Ally said. “I believe as a team we are ready.”
Abbey Schaeffer
Abbey admits to talking between the pipes during the game so she doesn't have to think too much. That qualifies as ironically funny. But the senior first-year starter in goal for the 14-time state champion is no joke. She has been playing goalie since her middle school days at St. Anne’s down the road from St. Andrew’s. “I thought the defense played great when man down last weekend during the scrimmages,” Abbey said. “We were doing the right things based on coaching and knowing the game.” Abbey excels in confidence and clearing the ball, and she’s a stopper. “I’m ready for the season to start, and ready for the big games,” she said. Coach Lindsey Underwood: “Abbey is stepping up after Anna Lopez graduated, and has been solid in the cage. I was really impressed by her clearing during the scrimmages.” Cape opens the season Monday, March 24 at home versus Polytech, before heading on the road to Queen Anne’s Wednesday, March 26 and Broadneck Saturday, March 29.
