Maize’s Ellie Wisdom is especially looking forward to sharing her final season with her younger sister and the teammates she has grown close to throughout her career.

“I’m most excited about playing my final season with a group of girls I’ve grown to love so much, as well as getting to play with my sister for the last time,” Wisdom said. “I’m looking forward to our schedule, traveling together, and all the memories we’ll make along the way.”

Wisdom’s offseason preparation has been a year-round process. With high school volleyball transitioning into club volleyball and then back into the high school season, she has focused on maintaining consistency in her training.

“Honestly, there really isn’t much of an offseason,” Wisdom said. “We go from high school volleyball to club and then right back to high school, so my training has been built around consistency.”

Wisdom has worked with performance and volleyball trainers throughout her career, focusing on both her physical development and skills as a setter.

“My performance trainer works with me year-round to help me be at my best physically and athletically,” Wisdom said. “I’ve also had an incredible setting trainer for the past couple of years, and I look forward to continuing to work with him until I leave for college next fall.”

As she enters her senior season, Wisdom plans to continue developing her setting while also becoming a more dependable defensive player.

“I’m always working to become more consistent in my setting, and that will continue to be a focus this year,” Wisdom said. “I also want to continue developing my defensive skills and be someone my team can rely on in every part of the game.”

Those improvements will be important as Maize pursues its goals for the season. Wisdom said the Eagles are aiming to compete for a league championship and return to the state tournament.

“As a team, we definitely want to compete for a league title and make it back to state,” Wisdom said.

A return to state would carry special meaning for Wisdom. She began her Maize volleyball career with a state appearance as a freshman, when she had the opportunity to share the experience with her older sister. Now, she hopes to finish her career at state alongside her younger sister.

“I started my volleyball career at Maize with a state appearance my freshman year, and I’d love to end my senior year the same way,” Wisdom said. “It was special getting to experience state with my older sister, and I’d love the opportunity to experience it with my younger sister this year.”

Wisdom has earned ACTVL Division 1 second-team honors in each of the past two seasons, in 2024 and 2025. As she prepares for her final high school season, however, her focus extends beyond individual recognition.

“Individually, I want to be the best leader and teammate I can be for the girls around me and help create a season full of great memories,” Wisdom said.

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