Talking with Spartan Commit Ellery DeBoer

I had the chance to ask Ellery DeBoer, a #2 ranked star in Minnesota by Prep Dig, some questions about her journey to her Michigan State commitment, and what made the program the perfect fit for her. From the strong bond she shares with the coaching staff to the excitement of competing in one of the toughest volleyball conferences in the country, Ellery is poised to make an immediate impact on the MSU volleyball program. She has honed through years of dedication, and she’s eager to bring that talent to the Big Ten which, with her exceptional setting ability, I have no doubt she will do. With a mindset focused on team success, she shared her volleyball journey as well as offered invaluable advice for other athletes navigating the recruiting process. Get to know Ellery, and you'll see why she’s ready to make waves at Michigan State.

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Q: Out of all the potential schools, what made Michigan State stand out as the right fit for you?

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Everything? Haha. First, the coaching staff. Finding the right fit with a staff was really important for me. I didn’t want any surprises when I got to campus as an actual student/athlete. Kristen has always been the same person, no matter where I have worked with her. She is the best teacher and everyone loves her. Plus the staff she has around her is just like her too. Another big thing for me was the campus. When I got to Michigan state for their prospect camp I immediately fell in love with the campus. I always knew that i wanted to go somewhere with an actual campus feel and Michigan State checked every box. 

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Q: Was there a specific moment during your visit or in conversations with the coaching staff or players when you knew, “This is where I belong”?

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I think when I finally got to hear that I was the person that Kristen wanted, I knew deep down that MSU was where I wanted to go. Kristen knows me so well and knew what I valued and what was important to me during the conversations. I felt like her staff really put the work into making this process something I would never forget. 

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Q What excites you most about competing in the Big Ten, one of the toughest volleyball conferences in the country?

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I am really excited to play in all the different arenas, but also am excited that every single match I will play against someone that I know. There are so many connections with club and NTDP in the B1G and it’s really cool to think that I will know someone on the other team in basically every match I play, and a lot of them will be some of my really good friends!

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Q: What excites you most about joining the MSU volleyball family?

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I have already met all of the 2027s and 26s and I am so excited about how close we are already. It felt almost effortless when we were chatting at nationals and talking about the future. It’s crazy to think that I’m going to spend every day with those girls helping Kristen and her staff build something special at Michigan State. 

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Q: How did the coaching staff and culture influence your decision?

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They were the foundation of my decision. My family talked a lot about how Kristen needs players to take a chance on her and Michigan State Volleyball to help her turn that program around and make it great again, and I wanted to be a part of that change. I have so much faith in what Kristen, Dan, Cursty and Ben are going to do there and know that the future is so bright. 

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Q: What are you working on volleyball wise/ wanting to improve as you prepare to make the jump to the college level?

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I feel like my training won’t change a whole lot. I’m still taking reps every week. I will still train with NTDP (just not this summer as I am gone on a family trip) but the cool part is that now I can focus on what my coaches at MSU see as my weaknesses and start working on those. I want to be ready to compete and push for a starting spot when I get there, so I feel like the work is only beginning. 

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Q: Who have been the biggest influences in your volleyball journey?

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I have so many. ◡̈ 

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My mom. She started me in club when I was like 8. She drives me to all my practices (2 hours one direction) and tosses all my extra reps when we go to the gym. She was my first coach and is my biggest supporter.

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I also give a lot of credit to my coaches and teammates at MN Select and Kandi Elite. My Kandi Elite teammates and I learned the game together and they supported me when I went to MN Select to play at a higher level. My coaches and teammates at Select have showed me a whole new world of club volleyball and have pushed me to be the player I am today. 

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Q: What advice would you give to other athletes navigating the recruiting process?

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Trust your gut.  Yes, it’s stressful, but being prepared and organized ahead of time was really helpful. I only took 3 calls on June 15th because those were the 3 schools I felt my relationships with the coaches were the strongest. And that was huge for me. My day wasn’t nearly as stressful as it could have been because we tried to be as prepared as possible. 

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Also remember that everyone’s process is different. As a setter, I didn’t have as many options as a pin because most schools won’t take a setter every year like they would a hitter or ds. 

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And lastly, it’s ok if you hear some “nos” too. They can’t all say yes. Remember, you’re going to say no to a lot of programs too, so a no from them just means it wasn’t the right place for you. 

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Q: What do you hope to bring to the program as a teammate and competitor?

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First, I want to be a great teammate. I want the people around me to know that I am there to help them be better volleyball players and people. 

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Second, I want to leave MSU volleyball better than when I got there. Yes I want to win a B1G Championship and a NCAA Championship but I also want to make MSU Volleyball continues to be a place where when people visit here, they fall in love with it like I did. 

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Spartans Will. 

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Q: What’s one thing Michigan State volleyball fans should know about you?

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I am so excited to be a Spartan! 

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