Rutgers volleyball star would ‘give her heart’ to her mother if she could

Rutgers freshman Avery Jesewitz owes her volleyball career to her mother.

For the past six years, the Scarlet Knights outside hitter and Minnesota native has watched her mother, Lynne Jesewitz, suffer from congestive heart failure.

Yet despite the fatigue and daily struggles, Lynne always traveled to Avery’s club volleyball tournaments — from the time she was diagnosed — and even made it to some Rutgers games this year.

There were times when Avery became discouraged and was on the verge of quitting, but her mother always encouraged her to keep going. And she did — just like her mother does every day.

“To know that she was struggling and still came out to support me, I think that just really reflects who she is as a person,” Avery told NJ Advance Media.

Lynne’s condition took a turn for the worse near the end of December when she was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she will remain until she receives a heart transplant.

“I wouldn’t be where I am at in any aspect without my mom. She has given me so much and set me up for so much success in my life and just made me the person I am today,” Avery said.

“Seeing her struggle now and seeing that her heart is failing, if I [could] I would absolutely give her my heart.”

A mother’s guidance

In 2019, the influenza virus severely damaged Lynne’s heart. At first, they thought the influenza had developed into bronchitis, but several months later, it was determined to be congestive heart failure.

“Throughout this whole journey, all she has wanted is for us to treat her like she is normal. She doesn’t want to feel like a patient,” Avery said.

Lynne didn’t want to be the center of attention. All she really wanted was to hear about the day-to-day happenings of Avery and her sister.

“If I am struggling with a homework assignment, that is the topic of conversation. She just has a way of making nothing about her and just focused all of her attention on everyone else,” she said.

“It is overwhelming to think of how blessed I am to have a mom like that. Where she is going through the hardest thing she has ever gone through and she is still guiding me through everything I am going through. When in comparison, the things I am going through are nothing, but she doesn’t care.”

Love and support

Avery shared an emotional post about her mother’s condition on Instagram this week, including a link to a GoFundMe page to help with ongoing medical expenses.

“The love and support that she has given to other people, [if] she could just receive some of that back right now in the time that she needs it most.”

She said her mother remains strong and is making the best out of her given situation. Visits from family and friends have helped make her time in the ICU more enjoyable.

It’s been a difficult time for the Jesewitz family, but Avery said that the circumstances have also brought her closer to her Rutgers teammates.

The Scarlet Knights have been extremely supportive and continue to check in on her, just like her mother has done throughout the years.

Competing at the collegiate level has also served as an outlet for Avery, allowing her to channel her emotions into something she is passionate about.

“I look at where I’m at, and there are people that dream of being in the spot that I’m in right now. I am playing Big Ten volleyball and I am at a great school with great people. And I worked my entire life for this,” she said.

“There are so many other little girls working their entire lives for this, and the reality of it is that some people don’t make it to where I am. And I don’t think I would be here without my mom. I would not be here. There is no way.”

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Joey Chandler may be reached at jchandler@njadvancemedia.com