Elliana Benson is a junior at Struthers High School. She is involved in many school activities, currently playing softball, and planning to play volleyball, golf and cheerleading this upcoming season.
While the athlete loves everything she does, volleyball is her main sport. Her interest for volleyball was sparked at a very young age when she would go to the volleyball games of her two older cousins Alexis and Sophia Kavouras. They inspired her to start playing volleyball, and her love for it only grows.
Benson feels that the reason she loves volleyball so much is because of the bonds with her coaches and teammates.
“I enjoy volleyball because of my teammates and my coach pushes me to be the best version of myself,” says the athlete.
Although volleyball is her main priority, Benson still has so much passion for her other sports. She just started playing softball for Struthers her junior year, and she is currently in season. While she started cheering at 5 years old on and off, she is now consistent for the cheer squad.
The athlete says that cheerleading is so amazing because of the rewarding things that come with it, like getting to cheer on the track.
“Cheer is just a different kind of experience where you see the game up close, and even though we don’t always understand we still try,” says Benson.
Not only is the student involved in three sports, she is also involved in three clubs including Interact Club, Medical Careers Club and Future Teachers Club. All of these activities keep her on her feet, and she is constantly on the move. The athlete sometimes runs into complicated situations where she misses cheering for volleyball, or volleyball for softball, but still continues to keep going and try her best.
The student believes you should put academics first and athletics second.
“But to be a student athlete school comes first then your ability to play sports,” says the student.
