Ellie Van der Straeten

• Energetic
• Supportive
• Confident
• Determined
• Present

I always give my all at being a leader and putting my team’s needs before mine. I am always looking for feedback and ways I can improve for my teammates to make their jobs’ easier.

Heart and Hustle (2025 club): I deeply appreciated this award because it recognized my underlying passion for this sport and my relentless effort each day at practice. When my coach was announcing this award, he described me as someone he almost had to drag off the court each day after practice, I felt so grateful to feel so much love for the sport and people it has given me.

Provincial All-Star (2025): I was very happy about this award however, the medal and playing in a provincial final with my team and best friends meant way more to me. I was grateful to spend my afternoons and weekends playing with them and I realized how I wouldn’t have been close to where I am without the support of them. I was also appreciative of my discipline and endless reps each day because the consistent overtime training no matter my mood, is when these awards are won.

MVP (2024 Club): This award was life changing to me as I just switched to a new club and moved cities. I was touched as my teammates thought of me as someone so valuable to them. I realized that passion and influence spreads, and that hard work and dedication will never go unnoticed.

I love swimming at the lake in the sun with my friends to play and connect in the summer. I love snowboarding in the winter! One of my biggest hobbies is doing my own nails so I feel put together and I can tune in to my identity outside of sports. On top of that, I also love pottery because there’s always stuff to learn and improve on. Pottery also creates an opportunity to gift home decorations and presents that I’ve made by hand.

Details coming

Long distance running. Running is super important to me to manage my mental health and to practice gratitude for my life and surroundings.

Honours with distinction (2024): I was proud of my constant discipline and how my dedication received recognition. I was happy to prove to myself that I am more than capable of going beyond my limits and becoming the best I can be.

I am interested in programs related to physio, kinesiology, engineering, biology.

I envision a strong balance between my sports, academics, and social life while giving myself the best opportunity to continue volleyball past school.