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Getting To Know...Ella White, SCSU Volleyball

By Matt Gad, Special to SouthernCTOwls.com
 
Southern Connecticut volleyball freshman Ella White may be a freshman experiencing college volleyball for the first time, but she has grown up with a volleyball in her hand since she was a child.
 
In fourth grade, White began playing club volleyball, attributing her early love for the game to her family's deep roots within the sport. Her uncle was part of the 2004 Long Beach State (Calif.) Men's Volleyball Team, which reached the national title game but ultimately fell to Brigham Young in five sets, and White has had volleyball in her blood forever.
 
"Both of my parents played and all of my siblings played so it was like a family thing," White said. "And all my uncles played … my whole family's very tall and we're all just into volleyball and I love it."
 
The sport has always been a part of her life and playing at this level, as a college student-athlete, was always in the plans.
 
"When I was younger I always wanted to play no matter what. I've put all this time and effort into [volleyball] and I love it -- it's my favorite thing in the world -- so why not continue to do it?" she said.
 
A native of Illinois, White noted that volleyball is really big in the Midwest and when she was younger she switched between several different club teams to try and find the right fit.
 
"The club I played for my last two years really helped me become a lot better," she said. "Every coach and every player I've had has helped me to become who I am today because every coach teaches differently and they all do it in their own ways and it helps you learn for the future."
 
But being from the Midwestern Region of the United States, White really didn't know about the Owls until the team showed up as one of the schools involved in recruiting her for their respective squads.
 
Once she saw that they were seriously interested in her she flew out to check things out on campus.
 
"I loved it," White said. "I researched the past two seasons and you want to know that you're going into a team that's going to be succeeding and [the recent postseasons] were part of it," she said.
 
Part of a significant freshman recruiting class that was brought in this fall, White said that the bond with her teammates was "instant."
 
"I'm very talkative and I'm not afraid to put myself out there. It's easy for me to talk to others and we just have a really good bond already. We were all so comfortable with each other and it makes it easier when we play, too," White said.
 
None of them had known each other prior to the season starting but she said that they all bring something different and make it work out.
 
White graduated high school with multiple achievements, including leading her team in kills throughout the season and claiming a national championship during her junior year.
 
That experience has carried on to her freshman year as White currently sits among the Northeast 10 Conference leaders in kills, total attacks and points.
 
While her early success has helped her transition, White just wants to keep getting better. A volleyball lifer through and through, her goal is to improve all the time.
 
Matt Gad is a senior journalism major and former sports reporter for Southern News.
 
Getting To Know: Ella White, SCSU Volleyball
Name: Ella White
Nickname: Ella
What is your favorite tv show? Shameless
What is your favorite movie? Forgetting Sarah Marshall
If someone made a movie about you, who would play your character? Why? Margot Robbie because she is one of my all-time favorites and can play any role.
What professional athlete inspires you? Why? Serena Williams. She has shown the world that women are just as capable as men are.
Why did you choose Southern Connecticut? What set it apart from the other schools you visited? I really liked the school's size, academics, and its diversity. Everyone here made my visit very special and nothing but enjoyable.
What does wearing the SCSU logo mean to you? I get to represent not only the students but also all of the athletes and the passion we have for our sport and school.
What's your favorite inspirational quote? "Success is a journey, not a destination." – Arthur Ashe
What is your favorite cereal? Cocoa Krispies
What's the strangest talent you have? I can do a head stand
What are three things on your bucket list? See the Northern Lights, travel to as many places as possible and go skydiving
If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose? Be able to fly
If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why? A bird, so I could fly wherever I want and see everything.
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Ella White

#20 Ella White

OH
5' 11"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ella White

#20 Ella White

5' 11"
Freshman
OH