Ellie Marble picks Central for college volleyball

Ellie Marble has been a central figure in La Conner High School’s last two state 2B Volleyball championship runs.

So, it seems only appropriate that Marble would verbally commit to attend and play volleyball at Central Washington University after her 2023 graduation.

Marble, a 6’0” junior outside hitter and the Washington State Coaches Association 2021 2B Player of the Year, announced her choice of the Ellensburg campus on social media last week.

At Central, she will play for a top-flight NCAA Division II program guided by head coach Mario Andaya, who has topped 400 wins over 26 seasons.

CWU has signed several La Conner graduates during the time Ellie’s mom – Suzanne Marble – has guided her teams to multiple state titles.

Central, whose roster includes players from Hawaii, Colorado and Idaho, went 17-9 last season and reached the West regional semifinals.

The Wildcats are certainly getting a gem in Marble, who also excels in the classroom, sporting a 3.8 grade point average.

As a junior last fall, Marble led the team to an undefeated season marked by triumphs over larger non-conference schools enroute to winning the championship in Yakima, where the dominant Lady Braves did not drop a single set.

Marble led all 2B players in Washington state with 521 kills. She ranked second statewide among 2B netters with 491 digs.

Marble also enjoyed a solid junior season in basketball, earning second team All-State Tournament honors as La Conner finished at 23-2 and placed fourth at the girls’ 2B Hardwood Classic.

Marble joins an impressive list of La Conner girl athletes who will compete at the college level. Five La Conner seniors – Emma Keller, Emma Worgham, Rachel Cram, Juna Swanson and Sarah Cook – have signed letters of intent.

Keller signed with Edmonds Community College for volleyball. Worgham, will play golf for Western Washington University. Cram and Swanson will play basketball at Carroll (Montana) College and Pacific (Oregon) University, respectively. Cook plans to double in volleyball and basketball at nearby Skagit Valley College.