Athletics Program Promotes Collaboration and Confidence
Whether they were cheering each other on in a swimming relay or playing doubles on the tennis court, Ellis student-athletes practiced lessons they learned in the classroom—like collaboration, confidence, and resilience—every time they pulled on the Ellis uniform this year. Teamwork was at the heart of it all as Upper School girls celebrated each other’s successes, lifted one another up after losses, and recognized their collective strength as one unit through the fall, winter, and spring sports seasons.
Tennis
Led by seniors Zoey Hu, Lucia Snyderman, Becca Moran-Scoratow and Stephanie Ohori, the Varsity Tennis Team finished 7-2 in section play and 9-2 overall. Standout performances from the team's two captains, Becca Moran-Scoratow, Class of 2019, and Stephanie Ohori, Class of 2019, earned them both recognition as team MVPs.
Led by seniors Zoey Hu, Lucia Snyderman, Becca Moran-Scoratow and Stephanie Ohori, the Varsity Tennis Team finished 7-2 in section play and 9-2 overall. Standout performances from the team's two captains, Becca Moran-Scoratow, Class of 2019, and Stephanie Ohori, Class of 2019, earned them both recognition as team MVPs.
The Middle School Green and White tennis teams grew in talent and skills throughout the season as they welcomed back 16-year veteran coach, Doug Brooks. The team strung together a series of strong matches and learned together during tougher games and more frequent practices.
Soccer
The Varsity Soccer Team saw an influx of players this year, welcoming twelve new freshmen to the squad. With increased interest, off-season training, and goal-oriented practice, the team worked hard to position themselves for success in the future as they say goodbye to four senior leaders.
The Varsity Soccer Team saw an influx of players this year, welcoming twelve new freshmen to the squad. With increased interest, off-season training, and goal-oriented practice, the team worked hard to position themselves for success in the future as they say goodbye to four senior leaders.
The Middle School Soccer Team worked hard throughout the season as they had significant contributions from players in grades 5 through 7. The teams two lone grade 8 athletes fueled the team’s energy on practice and game days leading to a successful season of growth.
Field Hockey
The Varsity Field Hockey team continued their tradition of excellence and recorded another winning season, finishing with a record of 15-3. The team scored an impressive 75 goals on the season and had stand out individual performances from Tegan Poerio, Class of 2020, who broke her own single-season goal record and the Ellis career goal record and Genna Barge, Class of 2020, who recorded 53 saves in the net.
The Varsity Field Hockey team continued their tradition of excellence and recorded another winning season, finishing with a record of 15-3. The team scored an impressive 75 goals on the season and had stand out individual performances from Tegan Poerio, Class of 2020, who broke her own single-season goal record and the Ellis career goal record and Genna Barge, Class of 2020, who recorded 53 saves in the net.
The Middle School Field Hockey Team team was led by strong grade 8 leadership, resulting in a competitive and successful season with the team finishing with a record of 11-2. A highlight for the year was the team’s away game to Valley of Ligonier where the team came up victorious and celebrated afterward with a stop at Dairy Queen on the way home.
Cross Country
The Varsity Cross Country Team showed their commitment to their team and their fitness during long runs, rainy races, and after-school practices. The Tigers kicked off their season at the Red, White and Blue Invitational and participated in many dual meets throughout the fall season.
The Varsity Cross Country Team showed their commitment to their team and their fitness during long runs, rainy races, and after-school practices. The Tigers kicked off their season at the Red, White and Blue Invitational and participated in many dual meets throughout the fall season.
The small but mighty Middle School Cross Country Team competed against local schools including Community Day and Falk. Under the direction of first-time coach and Ellis first grade teacher, Caroline Lynette, the team worked hard to improve their endurance and times throughout the season.
Crew
The Varsity Crew Team competed in regattas in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Virginia and earned individual and team recognitions as part of the Steel City Rowing Club. An intensive week-long training trip for athletes to the North Palm Beach Rowing Club in Juno, Florida, kicked off the spring season in preparation for the upcoming Midwest Rowing Championships where Ellis athletes will compete for a qualifying spot at Youth Nationals.
The Middle School Crew Team took to the water with races in Pittsburgh’s Head of the Ohio, the Speakmon Regatta in Columbus, Ohio, and a few scrimmages in Pittsburgh hosted by Steel City Rowing Club. The team looks forward to continued growth in numbers next season.
Basketball
The Varsity Basketball Team finished the season 16-8 overall and qualified for the WPIAL playoff, thanks to their impressive section play. After beating Aliquippa High School in the first round, the team advanced to the quarterfinal game for only the second time in school history. The team ultimately lost to Bishop Canevin in a hard-fought game, but athletes will continue to build on the team's success and develop their skills this summer in Ellis’ summer league.
The Varsity Basketball Team finished the season 16-8 overall and qualified for the WPIAL playoff, thanks to their impressive section play. After beating Aliquippa High School in the first round, the team advanced to the quarterfinal game for only the second time in school history. The team ultimately lost to Bishop Canevin in a hard-fought game, but athletes will continue to build on the team's success and develop their skills this summer in Ellis’ summer league.
The Middle School basketball program continued to develop with the A team leading the charge in the victory column. As numbers grew on the four Middle School teams, the squads looked for more opportunities to develop their skills and overall concepts of the game.
Swimming
The Varsity Swim Team had an eventful season full of increased winter practice attendance and personal accomplishments of courage, effort, patience, and battles with time. For the second consecutive year, Bryn Luedde, Class of 2019, made the podium at WPIALs and swam the 50 and 100 freestyle at the PIAA State tournament.
The Varsity Swim Team had an eventful season full of increased winter practice attendance and personal accomplishments of courage, effort, patience, and battles with time. For the second consecutive year, Bryn Luedde, Class of 2019, made the podium at WPIALs and swam the 50 and 100 freestyle at the PIAA State tournament.
The Middle School Swim Team continued to maintain their strength in numbers as both veteran swimmers and newcomers combined to make for a force to be reckoned with. While the team came up short in their three meets, their individual times improved drastically.
Softball
The Varsity Softball Team grew not only in numbers with 22 athletes on the team but in talent and skills as the team scored a total of 72 runs this season with players on base every game. Significant wins for the team came with match-ups against Geibel Catholic High School early in the season, winning 23-2, then again in the second match-up 12-2.
The Varsity Softball Team grew not only in numbers with 22 athletes on the team but in talent and skills as the team scored a total of 72 runs this season with players on base every game. Significant wins for the team came with match-ups against Geibel Catholic High School early in the season, winning 23-2, then again in the second match-up 12-2.
Lacrosse
The Varsity Lacrosse Team ended their season in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs and finished with an overall record of 8-7. The team battled to score a total of 185 goals on the season led by captains Leah Ewers and Katharine Ference and a tremendous debut season came from freshman goalie Sao Mai Nguyen. A new section challenged the team to push themselves, increase their skill level, and perform at a higher level throughout the season.
The Varsity Lacrosse Team ended their season in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs and finished with an overall record of 8-7. The team battled to score a total of 185 goals on the season led by captains Leah Ewers and Katharine Ference and a tremendous debut season came from freshman goalie Sao Mai Nguyen. A new section challenged the team to push themselves, increase their skill level, and perform at a higher level throughout the season.
The Middle School Lacrosse Team returned to the field with just as much energy and passion for the game as ever. Under leadership from veteran eighth grade athletes, the team took wins against cross-town rivals and won nearly all of their home games.
Track and Field
The Varsity Track and Field Team grew in strength, fitness, and stamina under the leadership of seniors Erica Davis, Becca Rust, Lauren Jasper, and Olivia Wilson. The team upped their training and conditioning routine with increased agility exercises, weight lifting, dynamic stretching routines, and swimming workouts at the Chatham University pool.
The Varsity Track and Field Team grew in strength, fitness, and stamina under the leadership of seniors Erica Davis, Becca Rust, Lauren Jasper, and Olivia Wilson. The team upped their training and conditioning routine with increased agility exercises, weight lifting, dynamic stretching routines, and swimming workouts at the Chatham University pool.
Sports are an integral part of The Ellis School experience. They act as a vessel for leadership development, positive self-esteem, and community involvement and teach girls valuable skills like teamwork and time management that will serve them in college and beyond. Whether it was a rebuilding or record-breaking season, for Ellis girls, sports about more than wins and losses—it’s about building friendships, growing individually and within a team, and having fun.
To view and download 2018-2019 athletic team photos, click here.
To view and download 2018-2019 athletic team photos, click here.
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