San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week Sophomore Ellie Ivie : Steps Up Big for Unbeaten Piedra Vista
Sponsored by The Graphic Designer
By Wally D
Photos by Mario Deschilly.
San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week
It doesn’t always take a senior to become a leader. Sometimes a young player gets an opportunity, steps onto the court and shows she belongs.
That’s exactly what Piedra Vista sophomore Ellie Ivie is doing.
Ivie, the Panthers’ sophomore right-side hitter wearing No. 10, has been selected as the San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week after a pair of outstanding performances that helped Piedra Vista remain unbeaten.
The Panthers swept Window Rock, Arizona, 3-0, then battled past crosstown rival Farmington, 3-2 in a five-set thriller. Piedra Vista followed those victories with another 3-0 win over Aztec, improving to 6-0 on the season.
For Ivie, the early-season success is even more impressive considering this is her first year as a full-time varsity starter. She played primarily on JV last season, occasionally moving up for varsity matches, and has also made the transition from outside hitter to the right side.
But according to Piedra Vista head coach R. Caliendo, Ivie hasn’t been intimidated by the bigger role.
“What stood out to me the most this weekend was her go-get-em energy,” Caliendo said. “She was hungry to get set the ball every time on offense.”
That confidence has developed into a strong connection with setter Sophie Giblette, who continued feeding Ivie the ball because of her ability to finish points. Caliendo said Ivie was running quick sets and attacking aggressively throughout the weekend.
Her importance goes beyond offense.
Playing on the right side puts Ivie directly across from an opponent’s outside hitter, often one of the most dangerous attackers on the floor. Caliendo said Ivie has become a big part of Piedra Vista’s blocking game, getting touches at the net and slowing attacks enough to make life easier for the Panthers’ back-row defenders.
Against Farmington, Ivie became one of Piedra Vista’s go-to offensive weapons. The Panthers run a 6-2 rotation with two setters and two right-side hitters, giving them multiple attacking options. Ivie’s quick approach and fast arm swing from behind the setter caused problems for Farmington, and she was able to mix up her shots to put balls away.
Perhaps the biggest sign of her growth, though, is what happens when a match gets tight.
“Ellie is a great leader when the game gets tight,” Caliendo said. “She is the type of player that isn’t afraid to keep swinging no matter what the score is.”
For a sophomore in her first season as a varsity starter, that’s a valuable quality.
And Ivie’s impact isn’t limited to volleyball. She’s a member of Piedra Vista’s student senate, helps with pep rallies and school events, and her coach describes her as funny, kind and a teammate who supports others both on and off the court.
Caliendo credits much of Piedra Vista’s 6-0 start to the chemistry developed by a group that worked together throughout the summer. Ivie has been an important part of that development.
She may only be a sophomore, but Ivie is already showing that leadership isn’t determined by grade level. It’s determined by how a player responds when her team needs her.
So far this season, Ellie Ivie has answered that call — and she’s just getting started.
Congratulations to Piedra Vista sophomore Ellie Ivie, the San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week.
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