The De Soto High School varsity volleyball team gained a new member this year — freshman Taylor Ellis. Ellis started off as a fill-in for sophomore Loren Hinkle after she was injured, but now that Hinkle is back, Ellis remains.

“It’s kind of weird being the youngest one and the only one in my grade on the team,” Ellis said. “The upperclassmen help me out and talk to me instead of being cliquey and to themselves.”

Head coach Lindsay Hothan also helps Ellis by giving her good feedback about her arm swing and learning they ways of De Soto volleyball.

“I really appreciate the way in which our girls have embraced and encouraged Taylor,” Hothan said.  “They’ve done an excellent job in keeping a team-oriented mindset and maintaining positive attitudes throughout the season.”

Ellis also plays club volleyball for Dynasty and works hard there to bring her knowledge of the game to the De Soto team.

“I think Taylor’s experience in playing competitive volleyball helped her to make the transition to fulfilling a role on varsity. She has great instincts as a freshman, which is very exciting to see,” Hothan said. “I appreciate her ability to be flexible in playing different positions and consistently being competitive in that role.”

The team is 20-5 after defeating Frontier League foe Baldwin on Sept. 27 against. One of the team’s goals is to win league, and Baldwin’s defeat made them one step closer to achieving this goal.