A six-year veteran of the Northern Chill Volleyball Club, 17 year old Brianna Eles was first introduced to the sport during her time at St Raphael Catholic Elementary School. In fact, long-time Chill teammate Hannah Grace was side by side with Eles, through grades six, seven and eight.

“We started by learning the basics and then improved from there,” said Eles. “We only played against other catholic elementary schools.” Though positions were not set in stone, Eles started a long way from her eventual role as a middle, one than she embraces both with the Chill as well as during her tenure with the St Charles Cardinals.

“I was a setter, to start, because I was really, really small,” laughed Eles. Over the next few years, she would dabble at power, then right-side, before making the move to middle. Little doubt that Eles has found her comfort zone there.

“I just really like it, so it helps me want to get better,” she said. “It’s a quicker pace - I like being on the go all the time. That just suits me better.” With her position no longer in question, Eles set about the task of continuous improvement.

“Hitting, offensively, is better for me,” she said. “I have to get better at blocking. You always have to be aware, to watch exactly what the setter is doing so that you know where to go,” Eles added. “You’re always on your toes, ready.”

With a background in gymnastics, the youngest of three children in the family (Brianna has two older brothers) made the decision to focus almost completely on volleyball as she finished grade eight.

The move to the Chill has been one that she has never regretted. “It's so intense,” she stated. “With the Chill, everyone is really good and everyone wants to get better, so you're always improving. That's why I like it.”
 

Brianna Eles
Northern Chill Volleyball Club

“With the Chill, everyone is really good and everyone wants to get better, so you're always improving. That's why I like it.”