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01/05/2022 11:00 PMDespite the bumps along the road throughout Ella Pitman’s volleyball career, she finished her senior with the Warriors on a high note. Valley reached the Shoreline Conference Tournament and then made it to the state tournament for the first time in Ella’s career.
Ella has had nagging knee problems throughout her life that were exacerbated this year. While working through that issue, she was hit in the head during warmups and suffered a concussion, sidelining her for a week.
“That was really difficult because it was near the end of the year and my time playing volleyball at Valley, but everyone on the team was really helpful and the coaches were awesome,” says Ella. “My senior season was really fun and I’ll really miss my team.”
This season meant even more to Ella after COVID forced an abbreviated season last year with many restrictions in place. Ella missed the team unity as the JV and varsity teams had to practice separately.
In addition, when the season started, only conditioning was allowed. The team met on gym mats in the parking lot and remained socially distant. They were each given their own volleyball that no one else could touch. In addition, the season was just 10 games.
“It was really difficult—I didn’t know the freshmen because we practiced separately and I felt like I missed out as a varsity player last year because we didn’t have that many games,” says Ella. “Coming in, I was really hoping for a full season this year so it was a much better year. I just love the team and coaches and I’m glad I was able to be a part of it again this year.”
Ella saw some varsity minutes as a sophomore, occasionally subbing in. The first time she tried volleyball was in 5th grade when she attended a camp with one of her neighbors. She participated in the intramural program at Winthrop Middle School School in 7th and 8th grades.
Ella played for Coach Kathy Scott and Coach Patrice Nelson between her freshman and juniors years. Ella credits Scott for the growth in her skills during that time and she is thankful that Nelson stayed on to coach this year under first-year coaches Sofia and Katie Cullina.
“All of my coaches have really helped me and my sophomore year, Coach Scott helped me grow so much—I wouldn’t be where I am without her help,” says Ella. “I adore Coach Nelson and Coach Katie and Coach Sofia were so supportive whole time, especially through my injuries. They taught me so much. Even though they have very different coaching styles, I learned a lot from both of them and they helped me grow.”
Sofia Cullina describes Ella as the type of player every coach wants on their squad. Cullina says that Ella was always trying to improve her skills and be the best player she could be for the Warriors. After playing right side hitter last year, Ella moved into the middle hitter position this season and recorded 41 kills with 31 aces, 9 solo blocks, and 4 block assists for a Valley team that notched 12 wins on its way to making Shorelines and states.
“Every practice Ella would ask, ‘What could I do to make that better?’ Whether she was talking about her blocking, serving, or hitting, she was always driving for improvement,” says Cullina. “I only got to coach Ella for one year, but I knew that she was the type of player who didn’t give up, no matter what was thrown at her. Not only is she a great player, but she is a great role model and leader.”
In addition to her coaches, Ella is grateful to her family. Her dad, Brad, is a social worker at Valley where he is also the advisor for Valley TV and the freshman basketball coach. Ella’s brother, Lyle, helps with Valley TV by filming the volleyball games, which were live-streamed and posted to YouTube. Ella’s mom, Jen, also cheers on Ella from the stands.
“It’s nice to have their support and it feels good to have them there,” says Ella, who also tried figure skating for two years when she was younger. “I enjoyed it, but I wasn’t very good.”
Ella used to be involved with Valley TV and had filmed her dad’s team’s games and graduation. She still helps where she can, but Ella works every day after school at a preschool when she’s not in volleyball season. Ella has always enjoyed spending time around children and plans to study to be a preschool teacher.
“I adore little kids and even wrote my college essay about it,” says Ella. “I love spending time with them and being able to teach them and guide them.”
Ella has further pursued that interest as part of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America, an organization that focuses on family consumer sciences, community service, leadership, and personal growth. She serves as the state’s vice president of events and this past fall, she organized a fall conference.
Ella is currently focused on finding the perfect fit for next year. She recently toured Eastern Connecticut State University and is looking for a school where she can pursue her degree in education and play volleyball at the intramural level.
Another upside to ECSU was its theater club. Ella has been involved in the stage crew for the school musicals since 8th grade. In addition to working the stage crew at Winthrop and Valley, she participates in the Broadway Bound camp over the summer. She is now beginning to help prepare for this spring’s musical, The Little Mermaid.
“In 8th grade, all of my friends were in the cast and I was the only one not involved,” says Ella. “I’m not very outgoing and even though I’m in band and chorus, I don’t sing in front of other people so I got involved how I could.”
Ella challenges herself in school as she took three AP classes last year during remote learning. She is currently the No. 2 ranked student in her class and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Though Ella is looking forward to college, she is making the most of her final year at Valley. She is enjoying spending time with her friends and made the most of her final season as a member of the volleyball team.
“It never occurred to me it was my last year until Senior Night when they were honoring me and not the grade above me,” says Ella. “Even then it didn’t quite sink in. At the banquet, it really hit me that it was done. I’ll really miss my team and spending time with them because they’re awesome.”