Ella is developing as more than a high-volume hitter. When a player is producing both kills and assists at that level, she has to understand the offense from multiple perspectives. One rally she is reading the block and finding a way to terminate; the next she may be responsible for creating somebody else’s attacking window.

That kind of experience can accelerate decision-making. Ella is learning what a good set feels like because she has to attack them, and she’s learning what hitters need because she has to deliver them. For a sophomore, that’s a lot of useful volleyball education packed into one season.~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga