Century’s Kayla Ellis was in Las Vegas for a volleyball tournament with her club team, Pocatello Elite, Feb. 23, and logged onto Facebook when she found a spare moment.

    What she saw came as some of the best news of her life.

    Ellis’ high school coach Pauline Thiros had posted a picture of her on Century’s volleyball page with a caption that read “2013 High School All-American.”

    The outside hitter was named one of the top high school players in the entire nation by Prepvolleyball.com. She is one of 150 players of all ages from across the U.S. (40 states) to earn the recognition. Ellis is the fifth Century Diamondback to earn the honor, but the first non-senior. She is only a sophomore.

    “I was really excited when I found out. It’s a big honor,” the Oregon State-commit said. “It made me light up. All the hard work I put in paid off.”

    Thiros says the honor recognizes the outside hitter’s volleyball skill as well as her abilities to lead.

    “It shows that she’s playing at a very high level for her age,” Thiros said. “She’s emerging as a player who’s a game-changer and a very good leader. She’s reached a level where she is recognized nationally.”

    Prepvolleyball.com is run by John Tawa, a man recognized as one of the nation’s go-to authorities on volleyball prospects and talent.

    At 5-foot-8, Ellis is ranked among the best outside hitters in the United States, many of whom are considerably taller than she is.

    “It’s kind of cool that I’m an outside hitter with all these girls,” Ellis said. “It’s surreal to be included with them.”

    The All-American news came days after she was named a top-25 sophomore by Prepvolleyball.com.

    Ellis is part of a Century team that won its third-straight Idaho 4A state championship. Senior middle blocker Ann Clappier got the Highest Honorable Mention nod (the next 75 after the 150 All-Americans) while junior setter Sami Parris earned Special Mention honors (top 425 players nationwide).

    “I’m proud to be the coach of the three that made the list,” Thiros said.

    Both Ellis and Thiros agree that Century’s team and success as well as her success are part of a symbiotic relationship.

    “I’m surrounded by such great players,” Ellis said. “They help me have a lot of success.”

    “Nobody ascends to that kind of status all on their own,” Thiros said. “Their team has to make a good showing. It means she is an important part of a very, very good team and a program that’s worth a second look. It’s definitely mutually benifical.”

    Despite the success Ellis has already tasted as she is just now reaching the end of her sophomore year, she doesn’t see it as a plateau. Instead, it’s an opportunity and a challenge.

    “It puts pressure on me,” Ellis said. “I have to come out and finish strong during the club season and the next two years in high school.

    “I want to be a player who gets success and keeps rising.”

    Thiros says Ellis’ ceiling is astronomically high.

    “She’s always been a skilled player and a great athlete,” she said. “She’s kept getting better at the game, but she’s emerging as a team leader. Everybody is wanting to follow her lead. She’s improving in the mental area, something that usually doesn’t start to happen until their junior and senior years.”