Ella

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

I’d say Ella loves competing, making plays, and feeling that confidence when she knows she’s playing well, especially, when she gets a good defensive play, makes her free throws or has one of those games where she really balls out, those seem like the moments she enjoys and feels proud of herself the most and I also think that she loves being part of the team and playing alongside her friends/teammates.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

I think it’s her family, coaches, and teammates. We’ve always encouraged her to keep going,especially during the moments when she doubted herself or wanted to give up. We reminded her that mistakes are part of learning and that hard work matters more than being perfect. Her coaches believed in her, pushed her outside of her comfort zone and helped her build confidence in herself and her abilities. Seeing how much they believe in her has motivated Ella to work harder.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

As her mom, I have watched Ella grow not only as an athlete, but as a person. I’ve seen the moments when she has doubted herself, been afraid to make mistakes, and even questioned whether she wanted to continue playing. I’ve always reminded her that she doesn’t have to be perfect, she just has to keep trying, keep learning, and believe in herself. Watching her slowly find her confidence again has been one of the most rewarding things for me to see.