Who am I?
You may know me as "that volleyball girl", someone you went to high school with, a friend, a teammate, someone you met in passing, or you may have even just come across my page. Any way that you found me, Im glad you're here. If you like the simple things in life, talking about sports, makeup, dogs or what I've learned in my short but meaningful life so far... then stick around! Lets be friends
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Who am I?
If you know me you're probably thinking that this is way out of character of me, that I would probably be the last person on earth to have a blog. To be honest with you, I agree! But I am also someone who loves to talk and who loves to share experiences, embarrassing stories, good books, good makeup and everything in between.
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So who am I? My name is Ella May Powell and I am from Fayetteville, Arkansas. I play collegiate volleyball at the University of Washington and that is what takes up 95% of my time. I like to consider myself a competitive person and I think my family and coaches would agree with me. My favorite things are dogs, sappy romance novels, campfires with friends and family, and a lot more.
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My family is really important to me. I grew up in the same place my dad did, and I am lucky enough to live in the same town as the majority of my family (cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents). This made me value family more than I could have ever expected. I love my family with all my heart. Don't get me wrong, we are in no means a lovey dovey crew. My two older brothers showed their love for me in the only way they knew how, through punching, dead-legs, and farts in the face. While in the moment I hated them for it, looking back on it I wouldn't be the person I am without them. My parents are the most selfless, loving, passionate people that I've ever met and I've never respected two people more in my life. I owe them everything, who I am, my successes, where I will go, because of their endless sacrifices.
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Something I've learned gives me a lot of purpose in what I do is having core values. Through sports this idea of "core or team values" has taught me that it is crucial to have them in your everyday life if you want to fully understand who you are as a person, establish boundaries for yourself and others, and push yourself towards you goals. Through this blog I hope my core values speak for themselves, but to put them plainly: Passion in everything you do, respect, and independence are the driving forces in my life everyday. While these are growing and changing as I am, this is how I have navigated my life so far with them in mind... even when I didn't know I valued them.
Let't talk sports
From high school, travel club teams, college, national teams...
Like I said, I play volleyball at the University of Washington. I've played volleyball since I was 10 years old. Before that, I played baseball, softball, tennis, track, and get this... cheerleading. I know right. Sports is my life, it's been my life for as long as I can remember. My brothers played baseball growing up so I spend all of my off time playing in dirt at the ball park. I wouldn't have it any other way though.
I got into volleyball through my local club "Ozark Juniors". Not exactly sure what happened but I've never looked back since. My mom played volleyball in college so she was the one who got me into it. Club volleyball was one of the best things that's ever happened to me and one of the best decisions I've ever made. I am who I am because of the hours spent in that gym.
I had the privilege of being coached by some of the best coaches who helped me grow as a volleyball player but more importantly grow as a person. There is a lot to be said about club coaches and highschool coaches who can make a lasting impact on who you are. I was blessed with some of the best in the business. I owe them more than I ever could give them. My high school volleyball years were everything I could have ever hoped for. We won 3 out of 4 state championships... that one still hurts. My love for the game in these years of my life grew immensely and I owe that to my teammates and coaches. FHS volleyball will always have a special place in my heart.
Going to play volleyball in college was always a dream of mine. I just wanted to keep playing the game. This game, as cheesy as it is, gave me everything in life. It taught me who I am and who I'm not as a person, what I value in others, what I value in myself, how to work hard and who I want to be.
I went on to get recruited to multiple schools and ended up at a place I never thought in a million years I would be at, The University of Washington. The burning question I always get is how in the world did you end up in Seattle, Washington from all the way in Arkansas? The answer is always the same, from the moment I got there I was valued as a person more than any other school I went to. Sure, other schools wanted me for the volleyball player I was, but only one wanted me for me for who I am. Along with a lot of other factors, UW was the place for me. It was the best decision of my life.
I have been lucky enough to get the privilege to represent my country (the best one there is) doing the thing that I love most. Getting to wear the most powerful 3 letters in the world on your chest while you play the game that you love gives you more perspective and motivation than anything. The USA volleyball pipeline has taught me so much about the game of volleyball and the world of volleyball. My dreams of going to the olympics only burns hotter every single time I get the opportunity to be in their gyms.
What this blog is NOT
This blog is by no means a volleyball blog. Yes, the majority of my life is volleyball, but what's more important to me than the sport that I love is sharing my experiences and how it has shaped me as a person. This is a space to share those things. This is also a space to share things that don't matter. This is a space that will hopefully develop over time. I am a communications major and an English-writing minor looking to pursue journalism. This is the best way I can think of to get my journey started. Follow along with me... or don't! Im excited for this journey.