Talk about a whirlwind week.
Mother McAuley junior Ellie White had just returned home after playing this summer with 1st Alliance 16 Gold at the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships.
She had a great tournament as her team finished fifth.
“It was super exciting to go to nationals,” White said. “In the past years, my teams have always started off a little rusty. But this time, we just came together with great chemistry.
“We played our best every single day. As the tournament went on, we just kept getting better and better. It was the definitely one of the best national tournaments I’ve had.”
A few days later, White was supposed to go to Michigan for a summer camp.
But the Wolverines came to her first — with an official scholarship offer.
“I was in shock,” White said. “It was such an amazing feeling. When I went to the Michigan camp, I just knew it. I felt right.
“I loved the coaching staff, the players and the campus. It was all so amazing. It came together right then and there.”
White, the 2021 Daily Southtown Girls Volleyball Player of the Year, said yes to Michigan, where she’s projected to play as a setter.
That’s no misprint. The No. 1 high school hitter in Illinois will be a setter in college.
“Yeah, it’s definitely crazy,” White said, smiling. “I was actually a setter my entire life until I came to McAuley. My high school season was the first time I’ve ever played outside.
“I love doing both, but I’ll be super excited to set in college.”
McAuley coach Jen DeJarld, meanwhile, has two more seasons with one of the best players to ever put on a uniform for the Mighty Macs.
“Of course, it’s wonderful when you have your top player coming back for this season and then another one,” DeJarld said. “Ellie can do it all.
“She’s just so smooth. She makes it look effortless. She is contacting the ball at such a high range, and she’s still improving so much every year.”
White, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, led the Mighty Macs (35-7) last season to a Class 4A state runner-up finish. She had 568 kills, 303 digs, 51 aces and 38 blocks.
The 568 kills led all hitters in Illinois. Stevenson senior Amanda Holsen was next with 507.
As a freshman, White made her McAuley debut as a right-side hitter. In a 17-match season shortened due to the pandemic, she had 118 kills and 111 digs.
“Freshman year playing right side and not setting was something new,” White said. “Sophomore year playing outside for the first time ever was definitely a surprise. It was a challenge, but I trained for it.”
Senior libero Gigi Navarrete, who has played with White since grammar school, watched the transition with amazement.
“She’s literally a fireball,” Navarrete said. “I swear, you can put her in any single position and she’ll make a positive impact. I love that she’s on the outside, right next to me. I just cheer her on every single point.”
Navarrete, a Northwestern recruit, cheered for White at nationals, while at the same time her own 1st Alliance 17 Gold team took the title.
“It was actually the last day, where we played to get into the Final Four,” Navarrete said. “We had just ended our match in two, so we were super hyped. We went on to watch Ellie’s team, and they were in their third game.
“It was such an intense game. It was fun to be like, ‘yes, let’s go Ellie,’ just like old times. I’m excited to be here one more season with her.”
In more ways than one, White plans to make the most of their last season together as teammates.
“Gigi is amazing,” White said. “It’s not only her energy, but she talks to all of us. She has a different relationship with each player. She’s incredible to have on the court. She helps our chemistry so much.
“Now that I’m an upperclassman, I need to step up and be more of a leader, both through talking and example. Last season, making it to state and finishing second was amazing, but we have a job to finish.”