Piedmont High School volleyball player Ella Burch is entering her sophomore year already feeling at home in the Lady Wildcats program. For the versatile pin hitter, the culture around the team has been as impactful as any win or stat line. “I love that everyone at Piedmont is so inclusive. With me just being a sophomore and only being my second year, I have never felt more included in a program.”

That sense of belonging has helped Burch lean into the work it takes to grow her game. She points to her father as the example she tries to follow. “Someone that inspires me is my dad. He has never failed to show me that hard work will always pay off. I truly believe that if you do the little things like working out outside of your practices it will improve your game so much.”

On the court, Burch is focused on making an impact at the pin while enjoying the balance of competitiveness and chemistry that defines Piedmont volleyball. “I am playing mainly as a pin hitter this year. Something that I enjoy so much about being with Piedmont volleyball is that we have fun in practices while also getting better every day.” Summer sessions reinforced her belief in the group’s commitment. “During summer Pride showed so much about how dedicated our team is to volleyball. The girls that were there improved and you could tell they were there to get better and work as hard as they could.”

She also credits former teammate Sophie Payne for modeling what it looks like to lead through effort and support. “Sophie Payne. Sophie has not only left such a good impression on me, but I know she has on others as-well. She shows that when you work hard and put your mind to something that you can do it. She will always help you if you need help from a player perspective.”

Looking ahead, Burch hopes volleyball remains part of her future. “I’m going into my sophomore year. After I graduate, I would like to play college volleyball but if that doesn’t work out in my favor, I would love to get a degree in physical science and become a lawyer.” For now, she is locked in on sharpening her strengths and communication. “I’d take my strength of the game is my serve receive but something that I’m working on to improve is my line shot,” she said, adding that “something that I learned last year that will help me this year is just to always communicate on the court because it will help the team succeed.”