COAL GROVE — Led Zeppelin sang the famous song “Stairway To Heaven.”
Ellie Delawder wants to go to heaven someday, but for now the only stairway she plans to climb are the steps of college volleyball.
“The challenges of playing are just like stairs. You have one step you have to accomplish and then you have another. You’re always completing another skill to get better. I love the determination and the pushing of it. I just love the competition. And you always want to win,” said Delawder.
After signing a letter-of-intent with the Kentucky Christian University Knights on Monday, the Coal Grove Lady Hornets volleyball standout will be climbing those steps for another four years.
A coaches’ Southeast Ohio All-District selection, Delaware has been playing volleyball for 6 years including 5 with a travel ball team.
Delawder’s travel coach is Annie Hawkins and she has been very instrumental in her success.
“My travel coach is very pushing but in a good way,” said Delawder. “We will work you to your best.”
She said that Hawkins is very hands-on with her players both athletically and academically.
“Travel ball gives you that experience of college. You’re constantly traveling and you have to keep up with your academics. You have to keep up your grades,” said Delawder.
“(Hawkins) has our grades and if we don’t keep up our grades we will not be allowed to play that tournament. We can practice, but we’re not allowed to play.”
Delawder said she looked at other schools but Kentucky Christian was the best fit for her.
“I felt like KCU was a good school for me. It was close to home. It felt like home to me when I went,” said Delawder.
Going from high school to college will be an adjustment, but Delawder said this has been a dream of hers for years.
“As soon as I started playing travel ball I knew I wanted to advance my skills and go farther. I knew I wanted to play in college. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to push yourself to go that far,” said Delawder who noted that juggling studies and athletics is another challenge.
“It could be, but you just have to learn how to time management and work everything out to your well-being.”
Delawder has been a middle hitter and middle blocker and usually plays on the right side and occasionally outside.
“I’ll play wherever they put me. I’m not picky. I’ll play wherever,” said Delawder with a smile.
Delawder is deciding between nursing and education as her major.
“I will have it figured out by the end of the month,” said Delawder. “I might coach but I’m not sure about it.”
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