The Student-Athlete Spotlight for March is Ella Fields, a standout student and competitor who continues to make an impact whether it’s in the gym, on the field, or in the classroom.
A senior at North Moore in Robbins, she is known for her kindness and thoughtful personality. She represents her school with pride and has built a reputation for working hard while encouraging those around her.
For most of her high school career, Ella has been a three-sport athlete. She played varsity volleyball for four seasons, reaching a major milestone this year with over 1,000 career digs. She has also played two seasons of varsity basketball and is currently in her third season of varsity softball.
Ella originally did not plan on playing softball this season, but with the team in jeopardy due to low turnout, she decided to lace up her cleats one final time just three days before tryouts.
New softball coach Katelyn Chizzlom met Ella on the first day of tryouts, and the two connected right away.
“I didn’t know her name, and she didn’t know mine,” said Chizzlom. “She’s helped me just as much as I’ve tried to lead this team. She’s been right there with me. When I give her feedback, she takes it and runs with it, and that’s all a coach could ever ask for.”
As of March 26, Ella has played in 49 career games and holds a .311 batting average. In 148 at-bats, she has scored 44 runs, collected 46 hits, and driven in 33 RBIs. She is currently on pace to set career highs.
“I’ve just been having a lot of fun,” said Ella. “It’s about winning, but I also feel like we, as a team, just get along, and the coaches have a great bond with us.”
Over the past three years, Ella has consistently been someone you can count on to encourage her teammates, whether she’s on the field or in the dugout. In a recent loss, she never dropped her head, making multiple trips to the mound to support her pitcher. When others were down, she was right there doing everything she could to lift them back up.
In volleyball, she finished at the top of her conference in digs all three seasons and ranked among the top 100 in the NCHSAA.
“I want to mention my volleyball coach, Coach Leenheer,” Ella said. “She has done a lot for me and has been there for me all four years. She’s become like a second mom to me. And Coach Timbo Allred—I feel like he’s more happy for me than I am sometimes. He just wants us to win, and I love all of them very much.”
Ella will finish out the rest of this season with the goals of winning and helping underclassmen learn the game and playing the Mustang way. She will graduate in June, leaving North Moore with her mark on some historic volleyball seasons.
Ella also maintains strong grades in the classroom and is a member of the Beta Club. After this season, she will hang up her cleats for the final time. In the fall, she will attend Sandhills Community College to study cosmetology.
“I really like doing hair and makeup,” she said. “I’m always trying new hairstyles and makeup. I really enjoy it.” She has plans to open her own shop in the future.
Although Ella has no plans to play sports at Sandhills, she will remain a caring and uplifting person in her next chapter.
Feature photo: Ella Fields holds her award for passing 1000 digs, standing with her volleyball coach, Crystal Leenheer. All photos contributed.
If you would like to nominate a student-athlete, please email [email protected].
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~Article by Curtis Self, a Sandhills Sentinel reporter and owner of Moore Daily Sports. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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