AC sophomore Ellie Okikawa signs with McPherson College volleyball
Playing volleyball at the collegiate level once seemed like a minute possibility for Amarillo College sophomore Ellie Okikawa.
Nearly two years after graduating from Reagan High School, the San Antonio native has her name in the AC volleyball record book and has signed with a four-year program.
Last Friday, Okikawa announced her commitment to play volleyball at McPherson College next fall.
“Thank you to my amazing parents for supporting throughout this journey, I would not be here without them or my trust in God. I could not have reached this point without an incredible support system in place from my family, teammates and coaches. I want express special thanks to coach Scott and my club coach Ray for believing in me throughout the process,” Okikawa said on her Instagram commitment post.
The setter’s volleyball narrative changed when competing for the San Antonio Elite Volleyball club under the direction of coach Ray Vega.
Okikawa’s self-belief on the court and development soared to newfound heights.
“No one really believed in me, except my family, until my club volleyball coach encouraged me. He said I have a lot of talent and he helped me get recruited,” she said. “If it wasn’t for coach (Ray) Vega, I wouldn’t be in this position.”
Following her recruitment to Amarillo College, Okikawa became one of the top setters and servers in team history.
She leaves the program with the third-highest assist total (495) and the fifth-highest ace total (50) since the reboot of athletics at AC in 2022.
In addition, Okikawa tied Anau Tua’one for the third-highest ace total (34) in a season during the 2024 campaign and accumulated the fifth-highest assist mark (260) in a season during her freshman year. The Badger sophomore has also earned Dean's List honors each semester at AC.
“Ellie worked extremely hard her entire time with our program,” AC head coach Scott Sandel said. “She played an important role in our success over the last two seasons and I look forward to seeing her compete at the next level with McPherson.”
The setter and defensive specialist for coach Sandel expressed her gratitude and appreciation for AC volleyball.
“I feel like AC has prepared me to succeed at the next level. Scott develops the fundamentals and I’ve grown a lot as a volleyball player being a part of the program,” she said.
Okikawa will join a program on the rise at the NAIA level as the Bulldogs were ranked No. 16 in the final NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches last fall. MC finished the season with a 30-7 record, marking its second 30-win season in program history.
Okikawa noted the success of the program as one of the main factors in choosing her next destination.
“I’ll be able to compete for a national championship there and the program’s culture really stood out to me. The way their coach described it, that’s something I wanted to be a part of.”
Okikawa is the second Badger to sign with a four-year program from this past year’s team, joining Rachel Russell, who is currently playing beach volleyball at Wayland Baptist University.