Catching up with Fisher Catholic standout two-sport athlete Ellie Bruce

LANCASTER — I recently sat down and talked with 2024 Fisher Catholic graduate Ellie Bruce about her high school experience as a student-athlete.

Bruce was a four-year starter in basketball and volleyball and helped lead the Irish to league and district championships in both sports. A standout in the classroom, Bruce also finished her illustrious career with over 1,000 points and 800 rebounds and recorded over 1,000 kills in volleyball.

The 6-foot-2 Bruce will attend Hillsdale College to play basketball.

More: High School Roundup: Fisher Catholic’s Ellie Bruce scores 1,000th career point

Here is our conversation:

Question: Now that you have finished high school, and looking back on your athletic experience, could you talk about everything you got out of it?

Ellie Bruce: Especially at Fisher Catholic, it was more of a unique experience, playing with all these different girls, we all had the same goals. It always felt like a family, and it really taught me a lot, on and off the court. It was an outstanding experience.

Q: When did you start playing sports, and when did you start loving it?

Bruce: “It started in third grade, playing basketball and volleyball, and I really started loving it around fifth grade because that’s when I started playing AAU basketball and club volleyball and playing it more often. Playing with my sister - Averie, who plays volleyball at the University of Rio Grande and will be a sophomore this year - made me love it a lot more, too, and just sharing the experience with her. Sharing it with my family, we are a big sports family, especially basketball, and it was always nice to be able to talk about it with them.

Q: When you were younger, I’m sure you have always been tall for your age, so did it take a little while to kind of grow into your body and gain the right coordination? Was it awkward at first?

Bruce: It definitely was when I first started playing because I didn’t know how to use my height to my advantage. I was always told to be aggressive, but I didn’t want to because I thought that meant being mean and I didn’t want to be like that. I guess it took a little bit to start using my height to my advantage.

Q: Growing up with your sister, Averie, who also had a tremendous high school career in both sports, you guys being so close in age, how much do you think that helped you progress as an athlete, and was there a rivalry between you too, or were you each other’s biggest fan?

Bruce: We were each other’s biggest fans, and it helped that volleyball was Averie’s best sport and basketball was mine, so we always were there to push each other. There was some bickering on and off the court at times, but it helped us grow as players and I think it made us more competitive by having each other to compare to and just push each other.

Q: Being a four-year starter in basketball and volleyball, as you progressed, the team depended on you a lot, and it seemed like there was a lot on your shoulders, so did you ever feel any pressure?

Bruce: There would be times when I would think that to myself and then I would always remember the girls I was playing with they always had my back and they were always there to play their hardest and I could trust them always.

Q: Can you talk a little about your family and the support they have given you?

Bruce: Up to my great grandparents, aunts, and uncles, they have always been there to support me, even back when I first started playing sports, they have been at my games. There was not one game where I didn’t have someone there from my family there watching me. You knew after a game, you had them to do to be supportive of you, and even if you thought you had a bad game, there was always something they would say to make you feel better, and I am so appreciative of that.

Q: I know at the high school level, things can get competitive, so what was your mindset, and by that, I mean, some people get angry if they fail, so were you the type of player where once the game is over, it over?

Bruce: I always thought stuff after each game, and I thought about what I could have done better, or even if I had a good game, I would try to find those little things that I need to fix or things I could work on in practice or the next game. My dad would give me pointers on things I needed to fix, and it was always helpful.

Q: Now that you are done with high school, and looking back, what are a few of your favorite memories?

Bruce: Playing with my sister in basketball and volleyball, going to district in both, and winning the district in basketball my junior year. That was a big one, and just hanging out with my teammates after practice, and having those memories with them.

Q: Playing two sports, how tough was it to make sure you kept your grades up?

Bruce: Sports has helped with staying on task and especially with time management. Going from middle school to high school, it’s hard to get used to you, but it gets a lot easier as you go on.

Q: For the most part, every team you played on whether it was basketball or volleyball, you guys were successful, so how much does that mean to you that you helped raise the bar in those sports and the fact that you are leaving a legacy as one of the best female athletes to come out of Fisher Catholic?

Bruce: It means a lot to me, and people are always reminding me that the girls coming up have big shoes to fill after I graduated, and I am really glad that I left that kind of legacy here, so it really does mean a lot.

Q: Talk about playing basketball in college and what will be your mindset heading into your freshman year?

Bruce: I know that I still have a lot to improve on and work towards. It feels like I am starting all over again being a freshman. I am going to be playing against girls who are way bigger and stronger, but I just want to make sure I am always growing my game.

Q: What do you feel like you learned the most while attending Fisher Catholic?

Bruce: The people, and the different coaches that I’ve had, and just the overall experience. They have really high expectations here and you are expected to be a good teammate. You are always representing Fisher Catholic, on and off the court, that is a big thing, and it showed me to always be aware of what I say during a game, my body language, and my attitude, and just be aware of all those little things.

Q: You are going to leave this school as one of the most decorated athletes, as far as athletic achievements. What does it mean to you that you have left your mark?

Bruce: It really means a lot, and I know I wouldn’t have been able to achieve all those things without the coaches I’ve had and my family and my teammates. But, no, it really does mean a lot to have all these different accolades.

Q: Tell people something they may not know about you.

Bruce: I really want to be a doctor when I grow up so I am majoring in biology in college.

Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Catching up with Fisher Catholic standout two-sport athlete Ellie Bruce