Aleece Ehler’s Promising Volleyball Journey at Andrean

Andrean outside hitter Aleece Ehler had an eventful freshman season, according to Coach Grant Bell. ‘It was trial by fire,’ Bell remarked, noting how Ehler faced challenging situations from the start. These experiences helped her develop resilience, essential for young athletes to adapt and grow stronger.

This season, Bell expects Ehler to step up further, both in skill and leadership. As a freshman, she tallied 298 digs, 196 kills, and 57 aces for the Andrean team, achieving All-Northwest Crossroads Conference and all-district honors.

With four seniors graduating, the team relies on Ehler more than ever. She has set high standards for herself but aims to enjoy the game while growing. ‘Every year, you want to improve your jumps or swings,’ she said. Her focus, however, remains on refining her mentality—working hard, having fun, being vocal, supporting teammates, and maintaining positive energy.

Her evolving mindset aligns with Andrean’s demanding pace, where young players must quickly adapt. This fast-moving environment is not new to Ehler as she has been around volleyball from a young age. Her interest sparked by family, she started playing when she was nine.

Ehler’s cousins, Molly and Trevor Prisby, also played volleyball at Andrean. Trevor contributed significantly to the school’s first official boys team, achieving remarkable stats over three seasons. Ehler hopes to follow a similar path, with Coach Bell expressing confidence in her potential collegiate future.

‘Where she ends up, these next two years are crucial,’ Bell highlighted. ‘To progress to the next level, she needs to focus on getting quicker, stronger, and jumping higher.’

During a practice session at Andrean’s campus in Merrillville, teammates relied on Ehler’s on-court decision-making. ‘She’s very intelligent,’ junior middle hitter Maya Mastalski stated. This intelligence is vital as Andrean competes with teams like Hanover Central and Illiana Christian.

Ehler’s aspirations extend to college and beyond. Her primary goal is to end her high school career proud of her efforts and passion for the game.

Report by Noah Poser.