As an athlete herself, Averie Zinn understands the dedication of her hockey-playing boyfriend, Vance Knack.
Highlights
- The couple maintains a relatively private relationship, sharing occasional glimpses into their personal lives.
- While Zinn dominates the basketball court with her scoring ability and defensive prowess, Knack has made his mark on the ice for Davison.
- As Zinn continues to attract attention from college programs like Concordia and with coaches following her accomplishments on social media, her relationship with Knack provides a sense of normalcy.
Averie Zinn has established herself as one of Michigan’s most promising basketball talents.
The 5’11” junior guard from Genesee High School has transformed from a facilitator, averaging 9 points per game, to one of the state’s top scorers with an impressive 29.1 points per game.
Her dedication is unmatched. She begins each day with a 5:30 AM conditioning workout before attending classes, team practice, and additional individual training sessions.
Zinn’s remarkable talent has earned her numerous accolades, including First Team All-State Associated Press honors, MLive Flint Area Player of the Year, and multiple MHSAA records.
She has shattered school records, including most points in a game (53) and most steals in a season (170).
She scored 50+ points in three games as a sophomore, demonstrating her exceptional offensive capabilities.
Basketball runs deep in the Zinn family. Her father, Michael, is the Wolves‘ head coach, while her mother, Megan—a former Genesee basketball star—is the assistant coach.
Her older sister, Ryleigh, now playing for Lake Superior State, previously held the school’s single-game scoring record with 46 points.
Beyond her scoring prowess, Zinn demonstrates exceptional all-around play, averaging 8.3 steals, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Her academic performance is equally impressive, maintaining a 3.9 GPA while excelling on the court.
Averie Zinn and Her Boyfriend, Vance Knack, Balance Their Relationship and Their Athletic Careers
A successful athlete often has a supportive partner who understands the challenges of sports.
For Averie Zinn, that person is Vance Knack, a senior ice hockey player from Davison High School.
The couple maintains a relatively private relationship, sharing occasional glimpses into their personal lives.
Knack, who plays left wing for Davison Varsity Ice Hockey, wears jersey #9, is 5’7″, and weighs 150 pounds.
As a senior in the class of 2025, he has consistently contributed to Davison’s hockey program throughout his high school career.
During his senior season (2024), Davison posted an impressive 16-6-1 record, finishing second in their league and ranking #55 in Michigan and #374 nationally.
His junior season was similarly successful, with Davison going 14-5 and again securing a second-place league finish. The team also maintained strong state (#57) and national (#365) rankings that year.
Born and raised in Michigan, Knack recently marked the end of his high school hockey career.
On February 28, 2025, he shared a heartfelt message on Instagram:
“Thank you Genesee/Davison Hockey for a great 4 years, had a good run #9 out.”
Instagram
This post signified the conclusion of his four-year journey with the program.
While Zinn dominates the basketball court with her scoring ability and defensive prowess, Knack has made his mark on the ice for Davison.
Their relationship likely benefits from a mutual understanding of athletic schedules, physical demands, and competitive pressures.
As high-level student-athletes, both understand the discipline required to balance academics and sports at an elite level.
Despite their athletic commitments, the young couple finds time to support each other.
Though they attend different schools—Zinn at Genesee and Knack at Davison—their shared experiences as athletes likely strengthen their connection.
As Zinn continues to attract attention from college programs like Concordia and with coaches following her accomplishments on social media, her relationship with Knack provides a sense of normalcy and support amid her rising basketball career.
While Knack completes his senior year and looks toward his future after high school hockey, Zinn still has another year to add to her already impressive basketball resume at Genesee.
Additional Information
- Before attending college, Averie was named the Oklahoma 4A State Tournament MVP and helped lead her team to become the 2019 4A State Champions.
- Averie has three siblings: Libbi, Layni, and Taylor Zinn, as well as her sister Ryleigh.
- She gained significant physical strength between seasons, growing from 5’5″ to 5’9″ and adding 25 pounds of muscle, transforming her from primarily a facilitator to a dominant scorer.
