A tennis ball is tossed into the air. The height, h(t), in feet, of the tennis ball is a function of time, t, in seconds, as shown in the table below.
t h(t)
0 0
0.5 20
1 32
1.5 36
2 32
2.5 20
3 0
Which statement provides a correct interpretation of the average rate of change of this function from t=1.5 to t=3?
A
The average rate of change is 24, which means that the tennis ball was rising at an average speed of 24 ft/sec.

B
The average rate of change is 24, which means that the tennis ball was falling at an average speed of 24 ft/sec.

C
The average rate of change is −24, which means that the tennis ball was rising at an average speed of 24 ft/sec.

D
The average rate of change is −24, which means that the tennis ball was falling at an average speed of 24 ft/sec.