From making the varsity volleyball team since her freshman year, to winning state twice, to being named 2024 Class 6A Player of the Year, Ella Florez has been essential to the school’s Volleyball team. Yet, her volleyball story is more than the awards and success, it’s about the way she always carries herself as a teammate to everyone on and off the court.

One of her biggest successes so far was signing to play volleyball at Iowa State University on June 15, the summer before her junior year. When she got the call that she’d be playing at the college level, Florez and her entire family were in tears. 

“Oh we were all crying. Everyone cried,” Florez said. “My sister, she was like ‘It’s a huge deal.’”

Since she began playing club volleyball in fourth grade, and at the outset, especially at that prestigious level, Florez knew she would strive to be nothing but great.

“Ever since I started playing, playing in college was always the end goal,” Florez said. “I always thought, if I’m playing I’m going to take it to the next level because my sister played college sports and she was already there.”

Florez, who has a six year age gap with her sister, remembers her sister getting signed to play softball, which created an inspiration for her to look up to. Additionally, her parents played a major role by supporting her dreams and pushing her in their own way.

“My parents were all in once we were all in,” Florez  said. “They make me earn my spot. They’re not very verbal to anybody but me when it comes to my sport, [they let] me play it out and prove I can be where I am.”

Throughout the years, Florez worked hard to earn her place. Current head volleyball coach, Kylie Corneliusen, who coached Florez all four years, recalls how exceptional she was since first watching her play at volleyball camp the summer before her freshman year.

The moment I knew she was good was at that camp,” Corneliusen said. “As a coach, you always dream of having athletes like that, and I looked at [the] assistant coach and said, ‘She’s the real deal.’” 

Since then, both Florez and coach Corneliusen have made many memories together. What made all of these memories so significant was their bond from freshman to senior year, which allowed them to be consistent with the team to win many notable awards. One award that they will forever remember was winning state.

“One of my favorite memories is her sophomore year, when we won state for the first time,”  Corneliusen said. “She was a big reason as to why we won, and it was the first time [the volleyball team won in] school history. To be on that stage as a sophomore is pretty incredible.”

Besides playing volleyball for victories and for success, Florez plays volleyball because it has a deeper meaning to who she is.

“On a personal level, volleyball keeps me grounded, and is something that keeps me together,” Florez said. “It has structure in my life, and for me is something that keeps me going and have a plan every day my life.”

Although playing volleyball is what keeps her together, the culture is what truly motivates Florez to continue playing. 

“I like being in a place where everyone’s welcoming and happy,” Florez said. “It’s good to have, especially on those bad days, when you can be excited to go see someone.”

Corneliusen sees her love for the culture reflected in her success as a teammate. 

“She told me once she tries to talk to everyone on the team,” Corneliusen said. “That makes or breaks a team culture. When the environment isn’t inclusive, things don’t go well.

Additionally, her value for a positive team environment influenced her decision in committing to Iowa State volleyball. 

“I love their culture so much,” Florez said. “They’ve definitely got it built there. When I go in, I’m hoping to carry on what they’ve already created [and] to keep that friendly, inviting space.”

As  volleyball season for the school comes to a close, Florez will forever leave an unforgettable legacy from her successes as a player and as a teamate.  

“I could cry thinking about it,” Corneliusen said. “She’s done so much for the program, and looking back, she’s definitely made an impact on me. c”

For Florez, volleyball is about values. She hopes the warm and open culture she consistently brought to the school will be what is most remembered.

 “I just want to leave a positive mark on the program,” Florez said. “I have al these awards,and those are cool, but to me at the end of the day I want to be someone that the players will remember and say, ‘Ella. I loved her, she was a good person and I enjoyed having her on the court.’”