Ella Schlei (MVL / Zion-Sanborn MN)
Ella ranks second in blocks (10) and fifth in kills (29) for the Knights in 2023. She also runs indoor and outdoor track.
What do you love about sports here?
I love MLC athletics because my teammates support me and they genuinely care about my success and wellbeing. They feel like my family away from home. My volleyball team always shares joys and burdens from the day with each other, because we want to lean on each other during the hard times and celebrate with each other during the good. It is also such a blessing that we all share the same faith. We have devotions together and pray as a team before every practice and game. Everything we do is to God’s glory.
What are you learning? How are you growing through sports?
Throughout my experience in MLC sports, I am learning that it is worth making time for the things you love. Whether that is music, sports, art, or anything else, you should make time to do those things, because that is when you make the best memories. You will always have more homework and you will always need more sleep, but you only get to be with this specific group of people, doing this specific activity for a few years at most. I am learning to enjoy every moment together with my teammates and coaches.
I am growing in my sports related skills (that is what the program is for), but I’m also growing in my social and interpersonal skills. I am growing in my confidence on the court and off the court. I have gotten experience with leadership and with working as a group. All of these life skills are going to continue to help me in life after college and in the ministry.
What have you found to be the biggest challenge?
One of the biggest struggles of being on any sports team is finding the balance between school work, your social life, and sports practice. With a 2-hour practice after school every day, it can be hard to find time for homework and spending time with friends. I have learned how to find time in my schedule for finishing homework, but I am still not convinced my friends know I am alive. Just kidding, but it is hard for me to have a social life outside of sports because of my crazy schedules and early bedtime.
How are college sports different from high school sports?
Volleyball tryout week was terrifying. It didn’t matter how friendly everyone was (which they were extremely friendly). I was constantly anxious because this was “real volleyball” now. This was college volleyball! I made the team, and turns out, it is in fact the same game I have come to know and love for my whole life. It’s easy to overthink the game and become nervous when you are playing college sports. Trust me, I had my fair share. But something you have to remember is that everyone else is in the same boat as you, and they are looking to support you through it all. It is still the same game and you are more than capable of doing great things. The only real difference is you have weekend games and you have to drive for hours and hours to get to your opponent’s school. Which is not as terrible as I just made it out to be. I love the bus rides because you can either take a nap, watch a movie, or sing songs with your teammates. Any choice is a good one.
What would you like to say about the coaches?
Our coaches here at MLC are seriously the best! My coaches care for my physical and spiritual wellbeing. They push me to succeed in my sports, but also in life. They are understanding and willing to work with anyone to ensure that they have a great experience as a student athlete. They care about their players as dearly loved children of God and fellow Christians, not as just bodies on the team.
Do you see how your athletic participation might be preparing you for ministry in some ways?
Participating in sports at MLC has definitely given me tools to use in my future ministry. Before every practice, my volleyball team prays together. Anyone can volunteer to take it and say the prayer out loud. At first, I was hesitant because I thought, “What if I mess up?” or “Will I remember everything I have to say?” Eventually though, I learned that prayer isn’t an act you can master. There is no right or wrong way to do it. It is an incredible gift that we get to go to our heavenly Father and he listens to us, and to do it with my team right beside me every day is a blessing.
