Throughout her Deerfield career, Ellie Schiller ’25 has made her mark on Deerfield’s athletics program as a tri-varsity athlete—Girls Varsity Soccer captain, Girls Varsity Lacrosse captain, and Girls Varsity Basketball player. Off the field, she has brought her commitment and school spirit to other teams her senior year as Captain Deerfield.
Schiller began playing soccer in kindergarten as the goalie for her year-round club soccer team. Following her brother’s footsteps, she started playing lacrosse the summer after fifth grade. As she dedicated almost all of her time to soccer, Schiller did not try basketball until her freshman year at Deerfield.
While Schiller expressed some difficulty adjusting to playing soccer only in the fall, she also appreciated the change of pace. Schiller noted that she enjoyed learning to play basketball under Student Life Office Senior Associate and Junior Varsity Basketball Coach Kevin Kelly on the Girl’s Junior Varsity Basketball Team and being able to focus more on lacrosse under Varsity Lacrosse Coaches Angela Serpone and Allison DiNardo. She said that these two coaches “opened [her] eyes to the high level of lacrosse that [she] could actually reach.”
Schiller credited much of her growth as a person and athlete to her coaches, who she said gave her confidence by believing in her abilities. She highlighted her close relationship with Girls Varsity Soccer Assistant Coach Carly Barbato, saying, “Coach Barbato has been my coach since freshman year, and she’s just really passionate. She’s just taught me to be confident, and since she played goalie as well, it’s cool to have someone like her to look up to.”
Schiller also expressed her gratitude for the constant support she received from her teammates throughout her time at Deerfield. Reminiscing about previous seniors on the lacrosse team who “took [her] under their wings” her freshman year, she said, “It was really reassuring to know that I had seniors who cared about me and wanted me to learn and grow.”
Describing her love for Deerfield’s teams, Schiller said, “I think being a part of a team is such a special thing.” She noted that her favorite part of being a tri-varsity athlete is the variety of experiences it gives her, saying, “I’m so grateful that I get to be a part of three different sports teams on this campus because they’re all so different, and each one offers a different thing for me. I get so excited for each season because I get so excited to play with different on all my teams.”
Schiller takes leadership inspiration from former Deerfield students, especially those who were upperclassmen during her underclassmen years. She hopes to display the same care for all her teams. In describing her personal leadership style, Schiller said, “For me, spreading positivity, and then also supporting everyone – like making sure everyone feels appreciated and cheering for everyone – has been a big thing for me. And then, of course, I hope people see my work ethic.”
Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Jeanette Boudway noted Schiller’s impact on the team, saying, “Ellie is one of the most caring players I have had the pleasure to coach. She is constantly thinking about what others might need, and she’s always looking for ways to make people smile.” Boudway reflected on Schiller’s leadership on the team, saying “She tries to encourage and inspire others all the time. She will share critiques to try to help people improve, but she does it in such a kind, caring, and positive way.”
Schiller strives to bring that same cheerful and supportive energy to every team on campus, last year as a cheerleader and this year as Captain Deerfield. She is the third girl in the history of Deerfield to hold the position of Captain Deerfield, succeeding Bailey Cheetham ’19 and Hanna Deringer ’20. She expressed her love for the role and Deerfield’s community, saying, “I just love that when everyone’s all together at games and rooting for the same goal, and I think the cheerleaders are a big part of creating that atmosphere.”
Reflecting on the challenges of being a female athlete and Captain Deerfield, Schiller said, “I hope people, especially girls, feel inspired by me to believe in themselves to reach large roles on campus and accomplish great things–things like being Captain Deerfield, or starting a new sport freshman year and playing on varsity, or captaining a team that they didn’t ever think they would be able to captain.”
Schiller shared her excitement for beginning winter term on a strong note with the Girls Varsity Basketball team and finishing her Deerfield career as a Girls Varsity Lacrosse Captain in the spring.
Boudway reflected on the legacy Schiller will leave, saying, “I think it’s about her commitment to the sport, really her commitment to the team, because I think every single player on the team knows that she would do anything for them and that they could go and talk to her. They really trust her. So to me, that’s bigger than any kind of accomplishment.” Schiller will continue her athletic journey beyond Deerfield at by playing on the Babson College lacrosse team; she said she particularly liked the school because of its “close-knit community.”
She said, “I’m sad I don’t get to keep playing soccer because I’ve been playing it for so long, but I’m really excited to start something new. Lacrosse doesn’t still feel new, but it’s newer to me than soccer, so I’m excited to create more memories with that by playing in college.”