BUTLER TWP — Off the court, Ava Carney is soft-spoken and humble.

The freshman outside hitter on the Butler girls volleyball team explains how she was a basketball player at first, but fell in love with volleyball in the seventh grade.

“That became my passion,” she said, smiling.

When asked if it was difficult to say goodbye to basketball, she smiled again and shook her head.

“No. I didn't like basketball that much when I started playing volleyball,” she said.

Those who face Carney on the volleyball court don't like it that much, either.

On the court, she is anything but soft-spoken.

She's loud. She's boisterous. She's destructive.

In her first four matches, Carney — just 14-years-old, but already 5-foot-11 — has served noticed to the WPIAL that she is going to be a force for years to come.

Carney had 17 kills in Butler's first win of the season Monday night against Mars.

Against two-time defending state champion North Allegheny, Carney wasn't intimidated and piled up 10 kills and 15 digs.

Carney is unleashing carnage on an nightly basis. She is averaging 14 kills and 17 digs per match this season.

Carney's eyes widened when she heard those numbers.

“Coach showed me today and it was surprising,” Carney said. “I didn't expect that.”

Carney's role has also expanded from her club seasons.

For Butler, she never comes off the court. She may be just as polished in the back row as she is at the net.

“The sky's the limit for that kid,” said Butler coach Meghan Lucas, who also coaches Carney on her Revolution club team. “She has the skills. She has the work ethic. And she has the athletic ability. And she's big. You can't teach big.”

Carney said this fall is the first time she has played in the back row.

“It's been good,” she said, smiling again.

But her eyes light up when the subject returns to her play at the net.

And her dominance there.

That's where Carney feels most at home, getting her lanky frame up in the air and her sinewy right arm swinging with great force.

That's where she does her most impactful work.

“Yeah, mainly,” she said, grinning.

Carney said she doesn't know where or what kind of hit she is going to unleash until the very last second.

“I make a decision in the air,” she said, chuckling. “Sometimes out of the corner of my eye, I can see where to hit it or tip it over the net. Sometimes I'll just slam it down. Other times, if it's a close match, I'll be smart and just tip it where the players aren't.”

Carney was a middle hitter for her Revolution club team. For Butler, she's operated from the outside.

No matter where she hits, she continues to fluster opponents early in her high school career — even against players who are in some cases four years older.

“I don't see their age,” Carney said. “I don't even know how old some of them are. They are just players and I play against them the same.”

Carney has also developed her jump serve and has recorded a number of aces this season.

Her serve sinks late, making it difficult at times to dig and pass.

“My serve was pretty bad until this year,” Carney said. “I started working on it in the summer. I worked on it every practice.”

While Butler is just 1-3 this season, the future is certainly bright with Carney and a young nucleus.

The Golden Tornado also have sophomore Taylor Welter, who is a force in her own right at the net.

“They are very, very strong players,” Lucas said. “The combination of Ava Carney and Taylor Welter is huge for the program down the road. The two of them are a great 1-2 punch. They can bring it.”