MOREHEAD, Ky. – Ellie Whiteside, who helped McCracken County (Ky.) High School volleyball to four straight Sweet 16 appearances, has joined the Morehead State volleyball program. Whiteside will enroll and be part of the 2023 roster.
A 5-foot-6 libero, Whiteside played for head coach Tim Whitis at MCHS. She helped her team appear in the Elite 8 as a sophomore and senior and the Sweet 16 as a freshman and junior, which included four consecutive Region 1 titles and four straight District 2 championships.
White also played middle blocker as a junior, leading the team in blocks. She was named all-district twice and has earned Academic All-State three times (2020, 2021, 2022).
"Ellie is an incredible athlete with huge potential who comes from a successful volleyball program. Not many defensive specialists can say they've ever been a middle, let alone one that led their Sweet 16 team in blocks," said head coach
Kyrsten Becker-McBride. "A fierce competitor with a huge heart, Ellie understands and embodies the concept of doing what is best for the team, and those around her. From her impact on the court to founding Every Mustang Matters, Ellie has made an impact on and off the court in her hometown. We're excited for her to do the same at Morehead State."
Whiteside is President of the National Honor Society and serves as student government senior class representative. Every Mustang Matters is a club at McCracken County that she founded and helps pair special education students with other students to help them feel included and part of the community. Whiteside's sister has down syndrome.
"My junior year, I went to the special education director at McCracken, and I asked, 'What is your need? What are you lacking?' and we started Every Mustang Matters," she said. "It basically provides special education students someone to go to clubs and school events with, and we have holiday parties. And it was all because of my sister."*
Whiteside said that feeling of care was exactly what she felt when visiting and deciding to go to Morehead State.
"During my visit at Morehead State, I could see that each coach is fully engaged and cares not only about the success of the volleyball team, but about each individual player," Whiteside said. "This team stood out to me because of their work ethic, drive to succeed and overall love of volleyball. I knew I wanted to be a part of this program."
In addition, Whiteside has played for the club team, Push 5.
* quote attributed to The Paducah Sun.
