I AM LEAVING: Texas top star Ella Swindle accept a contract of $45 million and announces leaving…
One of the top recruits in the 2023 class, Texas setter Ella Swindle was a star at Rock Bridge High School where she was a four-year starter. After finishing her career with accolades that included being 2022 AVCA First Team All-American, 2022 Under Armour All-American, and competing with the USA Volleyball U-21 National Training team, she made the decision to commit to join Jerritt Elliott’s squad in Austin. As she arrives in Texas and prepares for her career with her new team, she says her faith has played a crucial role throughout her life and will guide her during her time with the Longhorns.
A native of Missouri, Ella has grown up with faith as an integral part of her life. However, experiences over the years have played a key role in her journey and have brought her closer to God.
“I grew up going to church with my family and practicing Christianity. However, my faith took a big step this past year when I put myself in a strong community of friends and leaders who believed what I do and encouraged me in my journey. In volleyball, I surround myself with great players that make me better. The same concept applies to my faith. I put myself in a strong Christian community so that I could become a better version of myself by studying His word.”
Ella says that taking that step has allowed her to become better everyday and continue working to become the best version of herself.
“While faith has always been an important part of my life, it reached a new level of significance when I became intentional about who was impacting it.”
An elite setter, Ella has been praised for the skills and qualities that she will bring to Texas both on and off the court. Looking to use her gifts as an opportunity to inspire others, Ella has seen her faith guide her in her volleyball career each and every day.
“Faith has played a huge role in my volleyball career. It has given me the courage to have the vulnerability it takes to fail and learn. It has helped shape me into the leader I am today because Jesus shows the world what it means to lead with love and passion.”
Ella says that she has also learned to find her identity in her faith, which has taken off some of the pressures associated with playing a sport at the division 1 level.
Photo provided by Ella Swindle/Texas Athletics
“Above all, my faith has given me my identity that lies outside of volleyball and what I do on the court. Volleyball is something I do but it is not what defines me. God defines me.”
As Ella will join the top team in the nation, with the Longhorns coming off of a 2022 National Championship, she knows eyes will be on her as soon as she takes the court in Austin. Ella says that she hopes to use it as an opportunity to point others to God and be a representation of Him and His love to others.
“With my platform, I hope to spread the good news of God and for people to see Him through me. I know that it is a gift to have younger girls and individuals looking at me, so when they do, I hope I can lead them in the right direction… to God. I hope I can be an inspiration to them on the volleyball court but I want God to do the rest.”
Ella says she has relied on Philippians 4:13, which says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” for her encouragement and to give her the strength to take on each day.
“God is the answer to everything. He has given me courage, patience, and grace in my volleyball career and I know that He can do the same thing for everyone else. God strengthens me and is the reason I am in the position I’m in today.”
As Ella is becoming acclimated to Austin, enrolling early in the spring semester as she prepares for the upcoming season, she will look to build relationships with teammates, coaches, and those throughout the University and be a light wherever she goes.
With a wisdom and maturity beyond her years, Ella’s kindness and grace have made her an admired teammate and friend. As she looks to help lead the Longhorns to another championship, she will do it with God as her guide as she looks to point others to Him.
