Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month for Roxana: Ava Cherry Balances Multi Sports, While Posting Honors Grades

ROXANA — Roxana High School senior Ava Cherry, a multi-sport athlete and standout softball center fielder, has been named a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month, an honor recognizing achievements in athletics and academics in Roxana.

Cherry, a triathlete throughout her four years at Roxana, has played volleyball, basketball, and softball.

She will be joined in the Midwest Members Credit Union recognition with her best friend and Roxana teammate, Lilli Ray, who is featured here.

In basketball, Cherry was a two-time Roxana Offensive Player of the Year and received all-tournament team honors. In softball, she received the 110% award, Offensive Player of the Year, and Illinois Scholar Athlete.

Roxana head girls' softball coach Pat Brannon said Cherry sets the tone at the top of the lineup.

“Ava hits lead off; she is a spark plug. As Ava goes, we go,” Coach Brannon said.

Coach Brannon also pointed to Cherry’s defense and leadership.

“Both Ava and Lilli are the type of people we couldn’t ask for better as team leaders," Coach Brannon said. "Ava is a gold glove player in the outfield. Not many balls hit the grass while she is in the outfield."

Cherry has played travel softball for the past six years in the fall and summer, and her teams have won multiple tournaments and placed second at Nationals in Florida in 2025.

In the classroom, Cherry is in the top 8% of her class with a 4.0 GPA and serves as president of the National Honor Society.

She is set to attend Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield this fall on a softball scholarship and plans to become a pediatric occupational therapist.

Cherry’s softball path has closely paralleled Ray’s. Ray, a catcher, has been Cherry’s best friend since first grade, and the two have played together since third grade on multiple teams, beginning with Tri-City teams, then their Bluff City traveling team and Roxana High School.

They are affectionately referred to as "From Centerfield to Home Plate" players.

“Watching them gun down a runner is a pretty cool sight to see!" Ava Cherry's mother, Erin Cherry, said.

Cherry plays center field, and Ray catches in softball, with both holding the same positions on both their traveling and high school teams.

The two girls are expected to continue as teammates at Lincoln Land, where they will be college roommates.

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