Ellia Sechrist sat on stage in the auditorium with a big smile on her face at Walled Lake Central’s athletics signing ceremony. In that moment, she knew all her hard work and long hours on the volleyball court had officially paid off. The Vikings outside hitter is headed to Army West Point in the fall.
“I've wanted to play there ever since eighth grade,” said Sechrist. “I've always wanted to serve my country in some kind of way, so when the head coach (Alma Kovaci Lee) called me and offered me a full ride I was ecstatic.”
“I'm proud to be a part of this country, and I want to stand for what we stand for in this country,” explained Sechrist. “I’m really excited that I have that ability to represent (our country) and stand along and serve along the respectable people that also attend that university.”
Secrhist’s college experience as a student-athlete will be a unique one. Along with school and volleyball practice, she’ll also have to juggle basic training.
“I think it's really going to be different,” admitted Sechrist. “When I've spoken to the girls, they've said the number one thing hardest adjustment is the time management skills. I'm excited to ask them what they did (to balance everything) and then (the team) also has academic help if needed.”
Sechrist plans to major in strategic studies, which focuses on war strategy, and her goal is to one day work at the Pentagon in intelligence.
Original source can be found here.
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