Lauren Ellis has been instrumental in the development of the water polo program at Sierra High.

“She helped in building the program,” said former Sierra coach David Breitenbucher during Ellis’ Letter of Intent signing to play women’s water polo at LaSalle University of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

He added: “LaSalle is getting a great player.”

Ellis is the Timberwolves’ first-ever commitment at the collegiate level since the inception of girls’ water polo about five years ago. LaSalle, located in Philadelphia, is a Division I program.

“She eats, drink, and breathes the sport,” said Lauren Koury, who coaches the Sierra girls’ water polo teams, and has known Ellis during her time growing up in the local youth swim and club teams.

Lauren Ellis had offers from other schools. However, she viewed LaSalle as a good fit, having spent time with the team and knowing freshman goalie Lily Kirby, who attended nearby St. Mary’s High of Stockton.

Ellis was joined by her younger sister, Kiera Ellis, and her mother, Jessica Ellis, at her special signing event held in the Sierra High cafeteria last Friday.

Her teammates, coaches, friends, and immediate family members were also in attendance.

Ezequiel Ruiz, who is the school’s Athletic Director / Vice Principal, is familiar with Lauren Ellis, the student. “I had Lauren as a student when I was teaching,” he said.

He praised her effort and dedication in the classroom, mentioning that Ellis is a great student athlete with her 3.65 grade point average, and earning all-Valley Oak League academic honors multiple times in both swimming and water polo.

Ellis is also the school’s top all-time scorer in water polo with 98 goals.

Her mom, Jessica, remembered Lauren being influenced by Summer Olympic Games. Her daughter learned to swim at age 8 and took to water polo by age 9 – Lauren Ellis plays both center and guard in water polo.

“She came to us in the second year of the (girls’ water polo) program,” Breitenbucher said. “She already knew more than I did about the sports.”

Lauren Ellis will join The Explorers in the fall of this year.

“I’m looking forward to moving (to the East Coast) and playing water polo at the college level,” she said.