Soccer sisters Shayna and Parker Ellis ready to take Jones to top levels
By Patrick Z. McGavin
They arrived at Jones three years ago, bound by their shared name, competitive spirit and a desire to make the grade at an emerging city powerhouse.
Their trajectories dovetailed but the points of origin were vastly different. Now everything points in the same direction. Parker Ellis and Shayna Ellis are the face of the Jones’ girls soccer program.
Prker, a gifted midfielder with a physical style and wicked creativity with the ball, has a slashing manner that is restless and propulsive.
Shayna is a skilled defender who brings intelligence, savvy and sharp discipline to her side of the ball.
With the Chicago Public League set to resume classes on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the two have something great to look forward to in their senior year.
Parker and Shayna have been voted teams captains when play resumes in the late spring. Senior forward Carmen Marshall, who was named to Chicagoland Soccer’s all-state team, is the third captain.
“I love Shayna,” Parker Ellis said. “We have gotten really close. There were only four girls on the varsity our freshmen year, and we created a bond. We rely on each other during the game.
“She is definitely somebody I can trust.”
Having a friend or teammate in charting a path through school and sports has smoothed out the rough edges.
“I have had classes with Parker and Carmen since freshmen year,” Shayna Ellis said. “It was so comforting to have them on the team with me.
“As freshmen we had each other, and now as seniors we are the leaders. We want to make sure any freshmen or anybody on the team feels comfortable and makes the best contribution they can.”
The year before the players arrived at the South Loop campus, Jones achieved a pinnacle in the program’s rise by making the final of the city championship against Lane.
Despite losing that game, Jones made its point. Coach Derek Bylsma made his own statement -- the program was not just an elite academic institution. The girls’ soccer program was also deeply coveted.
Bylsma was not content to rest on his laurels. He welcomed in the next generation of young talent.
“Parker and Shayna have all the qualities we look for and value at Jones,” Bylsma said. “They are both excellent leaders and extremely hard working with great attitudes.
“They both compete very hard and are great all-around people. They are both extremely well-liked and respected within the program.”
Parker arrived in Chicago at the age of 11. She grew up in Las Vegas. By chance, her family moved across the street from Jones.
Her play at Jones has been marked by versatility, a physical presence and a keen sense of anticipating the rhythms of the game.
“I definitely would describe myself as a technical player,” Parker said. “I like to work with my teammates. I like to play with them and off them to get towards the goal.
“I like to go one-on-one when I see fit. As a winger, I look for those opportunities.”
Parker was in the crowd when the Eagles played Lane in the city title game. The caliber of player who entered the program rose higher and higher. Parker, Shayna and Marshall reflected the new standing.
“After I decided to go there, I invited Derek to a couple of my club games. He saw me play, and I really got to know Derek more. That made me even more excited,” Parker said.
“I had a team and a coach I really enjoyed playing for.”
The following spring Parker made the team, and Bylsma made clear to her she was not just window dressing. He put her on the team with the intention of giving her a prominent role.
“Derek made it very clear he did not want me to spend my freshman year on the bench,” Parker said. “For him to believe in me that much, to put me on the varsity and actually give me as much playing time as I got, that was definitely a huge confidence boost.
“I already had such an important role to my team at such a young age, especially with all the others we had at the time. I definitely saw myself improve much more.”
As a sophomore two years ago, Parker played a crucial role on Jones' team that reached the city Final Four. Unfortunately, she suffered a leg injury against Young. She watched from the sidelines as the Dolphins pulled out a narrow shootout victory.
She is a dynamic talent, tough and fearless. Her evolution at Jones enabled her talent to flourish within the foundation of the group.
“Growing up, I was always in individual sports,” Parker said. “I also did gymnastics. Even though you compete as a team, the events are your own.
“Soccer was a team sport, and I just fell in love with that. In the past I was never really able to rely on my teammates. It was always on you. If you mess up, it’s your fault. Knowing you have teammates I knew I could trust, that was something I really enjoyed.”
Growing up in Las Vegas, her first passion was the Tae Kwon Do. She started at the age of five, and she achieved her first degree black belt at the age of nine.
“In Vegas, to be a second degree black belt, you have to be 12,” Parker said. “I knew I’d have to wait three years. I was already teaching classes, and it was somewhat uncomfortable for me to be a kid and teaching a bunch of adults.”
The stress became too much and Parker simply checked out, emotionally, telling herself she needed a break from the sport. Driving with her mother, she saw an announcement for AYSO youth leagues.
“I wanted to take a break from Tae Kwon Do, and the idea was I would try soccer until I got a little older and I could get back for my second degree,” Parker said.
She showed tremendous potential and promise, and she never looked back. Her first degree black belt hangs on her wall. By the time Parker’s family relocated to Chicago, her immersion in soccer was complete. She joined the Chicago City club program.
As a sophomore, Jones (18-7-0) set a program record for single-season victories.
“At Jones we have a really strong connection, a really strong bond,” Parker said. “Knowing there are 10 other players on the field that will cover up with me if I mess up, or I will do the same for them, that is a very powerful thing.
“I love the camaraderie of the team. It’s definitely a much different experience then when I was doing sports by myself.”
As a defensive-oriented player, Shayna is built slightly different in temperament, style and mentality. She is not a physically prepossessing player.
Her game is predicated on timing and precision.
“My instinct is always to get back rather than be aggressive upfront,” Shayna said. “I really value my technical skills. I feel like my passing is really accurate, and I am always working on being aggressive and using my body to get up with the bigger girls.”
Fifteen-of the seventeen victories her sophomore year came via shutout. Her disruptive talents, ability to anticipate flow and direction and organize the Eagles’ back helped create a nearly impenetrable curtain.
Bylsma prefers to start games with just three defenders. Shayna was the connective thread, a player who could operate in the middle and drop when the defense has to tighten the screws and shrink the field.
Shayna just needed time and opportunity.
“I think when I first started, I was probably a little scared to really play my game,” she said. “I think I have improved so much, because I have definitely put myself out there.
“I have become more aggressive. My communication has gotten a lot better. At first I was somewhat afraid to really use my voice. Now I feel like I am yelling all over the field.”
Coming to Jones and making an immediate contribution was the key element of her developing confidence. Parker and Marshall were offensive players, and their impact was easier to measure and quantify.
Shayna worked in a different register. She came to Jones largely for its academic reputation. Soccer was a byproduct. The two coalesced. Soccer gave her voice and definition.
“I always played club, but before that I went to a pretty small elementary school,” Shayna said. “I never really felt super valued. I knew I could have gone to a small high school and probably have a really large role there.
“I wanted to compete. Then I came to a big school, and I felt like my skills were being recognized.
“That totally boosted my confidence.”
When she was younger, Shayna took part in youth leagues to be with her friends. She quickly surpassed them, her talent, drive and intuition separating her from the pack.
“My teammates are my best friends, and they allow me to have that fun,” Shayna said. “Soccer has always been my outlet. Even if I have a stressful day at school, going to a practice or having a game has taken my mind off of it.”
Parker and Shayna took different routes. Significantly, they were voted captains by their teammates, not named by the coaches.
Call it another sign of how far they have come as they are reminded of the next stage with the return to play in the late spring upon the completion of the boys’ season that has been shifted from the traditional fall schedule.
“That is obviously kind of crazy to see myself go from fighting for playing time with the seniors to now being one of the most crucial roles for the team,” Parker said.
“I have seen my leadership role grow to earn the trust of our teammates. With Shayna and Carmen, we are very close on the field and off the field as well.
“We are like a trio.”
By Patrick Z. McGavin
They arrived at Jones three years ago, bound by their shared name, competitive spirit and a desire to make the grade at an emerging city powerhouse.
Their trajectories dovetailed but the points of origin were vastly different. Now everything points in the same direction. Parker Ellis and Shayna Ellis are the face of the Jones’ girls soccer program.
Prker, a gifted midfielder with a physical style and wicked creativity with the ball, has a slashing manner that is restless and propulsive.
Shayna is a skilled defender who brings intelligence, savvy and sharp discipline to her side of the ball.
With the Chicago Public League set to resume classes on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the two have something great to look forward to in their senior year.
Parker and Shayna have been voted teams captains when play resumes in the late spring. Senior forward Carmen Marshall, who was named to Chicagoland Soccer’s all-state team, is the third captain.
“I love Shayna,” Parker Ellis said. “We have gotten really close. There were only four girls on the varsity our freshmen year, and we created a bond. We rely on each other during the game.
“She is definitely somebody I can trust.”
Having a friend or teammate in charting a path through school and sports has smoothed out the rough edges.
“I have had classes with Parker and Carmen since freshmen year,” Shayna Ellis said. “It was so comforting to have them on the team with me.
“As freshmen we had each other, and now as seniors we are the leaders. We want to make sure any freshmen or anybody on the team feels comfortable and makes the best contribution they can.”
The year before the players arrived at the South Loop campus, Jones achieved a pinnacle in the program’s rise by making the final of the city championship against Lane.
Despite losing that game, Jones made its point. Coach Derek Bylsma made his own statement -- the program was not just an elite academic institution. The girls’ soccer program was also deeply coveted.
Bylsma was not content to rest on his laurels. He welcomed in the next generation of young talent.
“Parker and Shayna have all the qualities we look for and value at Jones,” Bylsma said. “They are both excellent leaders and extremely hard working with great attitudes.
“They both compete very hard and are great all-around people. They are both extremely well-liked and respected within the program.”
Parker arrived in Chicago at the age of 11. She grew up in Las Vegas. By chance, her family moved across the street from Jones.
Her play at Jones has been marked by versatility, a physical presence and a keen sense of anticipating the rhythms of the game.
“I definitely would describe myself as a technical player,” Parker said. “I like to work with my teammates. I like to play with them and off them to get towards the goal.
“I like to go one-on-one when I see fit. As a winger, I look for those opportunities.”
Parker was in the crowd when the Eagles played Lane in the city title game. The caliber of player who entered the program rose higher and higher. Parker, Shayna and Marshall reflected the new standing.
“After I decided to go there, I invited Derek to a couple of my club games. He saw me play, and I really got to know Derek more. That made me even more excited,” Parker said.
“I had a team and a coach I really enjoyed playing for.”
The following spring Parker made the team, and Bylsma made clear to her she was not just window dressing. He put her on the team with the intention of giving her a prominent role.
“Derek made it very clear he did not want me to spend my freshman year on the bench,” Parker said. “For him to believe in me that much, to put me on the varsity and actually give me as much playing time as I got, that was definitely a huge confidence boost.
“I already had such an important role to my team at such a young age, especially with all the others we had at the time. I definitely saw myself improve much more.”
As a sophomore two years ago, Parker played a crucial role on Jones' team that reached the city Final Four. Unfortunately, she suffered a leg injury against Young. She watched from the sidelines as the Dolphins pulled out a narrow shootout victory.
She is a dynamic talent, tough and fearless. Her evolution at Jones enabled her talent to flourish within the foundation of the group.
“Growing up, I was always in individual sports,” Parker said. “I also did gymnastics. Even though you compete as a team, the events are your own.
“Soccer was a team sport, and I just fell in love with that. In the past I was never really able to rely on my teammates. It was always on you. If you mess up, it’s your fault. Knowing you have teammates I knew I could trust, that was something I really enjoyed.”
Growing up in Las Vegas, her first passion was the Tae Kwon Do. She started at the age of five, and she achieved her first degree black belt at the age of nine.
“In Vegas, to be a second degree black belt, you have to be 12,” Parker said. “I knew I’d have to wait three years. I was already teaching classes, and it was somewhat uncomfortable for me to be a kid and teaching a bunch of adults.”
The stress became too much and Parker simply checked out, emotionally, telling herself she needed a break from the sport. Driving with her mother, she saw an announcement for AYSO youth leagues.
“I wanted to take a break from Tae Kwon Do, and the idea was I would try soccer until I got a little older and I could get back for my second degree,” Parker said.
She showed tremendous potential and promise, and she never looked back. Her first degree black belt hangs on her wall. By the time Parker’s family relocated to Chicago, her immersion in soccer was complete. She joined the Chicago City club program.
As a sophomore, Jones (18-7-0) set a program record for single-season victories.
“At Jones we have a really strong connection, a really strong bond,” Parker said. “Knowing there are 10 other players on the field that will cover up with me if I mess up, or I will do the same for them, that is a very powerful thing.
“I love the camaraderie of the team. It’s definitely a much different experience then when I was doing sports by myself.”
As a defensive-oriented player, Shayna is built slightly different in temperament, style and mentality. She is not a physically prepossessing player.
Her game is predicated on timing and precision.
“My instinct is always to get back rather than be aggressive upfront,” Shayna said. “I really value my technical skills. I feel like my passing is really accurate, and I am always working on being aggressive and using my body to get up with the bigger girls.”
Fifteen-of the seventeen victories her sophomore year came via shutout. Her disruptive talents, ability to anticipate flow and direction and organize the Eagles’ back helped create a nearly impenetrable curtain.
Bylsma prefers to start games with just three defenders. Shayna was the connective thread, a player who could operate in the middle and drop when the defense has to tighten the screws and shrink the field.
Shayna just needed time and opportunity.
“I think when I first started, I was probably a little scared to really play my game,” she said. “I think I have improved so much, because I have definitely put myself out there.
“I have become more aggressive. My communication has gotten a lot better. At first I was somewhat afraid to really use my voice. Now I feel like I am yelling all over the field.”
Coming to Jones and making an immediate contribution was the key element of her developing confidence. Parker and Marshall were offensive players, and their impact was easier to measure and quantify.
Shayna worked in a different register. She came to Jones largely for its academic reputation. Soccer was a byproduct. The two coalesced. Soccer gave her voice and definition.
“I always played club, but before that I went to a pretty small elementary school,” Shayna said. “I never really felt super valued. I knew I could have gone to a small high school and probably have a really large role there.
“I wanted to compete. Then I came to a big school, and I felt like my skills were being recognized.
“That totally boosted my confidence.”
When she was younger, Shayna took part in youth leagues to be with her friends. She quickly surpassed them, her talent, drive and intuition separating her from the pack.
“My teammates are my best friends, and they allow me to have that fun,” Shayna said. “Soccer has always been my outlet. Even if I have a stressful day at school, going to a practice or having a game has taken my mind off of it.”
Parker and Shayna took different routes. Significantly, they were voted captains by their teammates, not named by the coaches.
Call it another sign of how far they have come as they are reminded of the next stage with the return to play in the late spring upon the completion of the boys’ season that has been shifted from the traditional fall schedule.
“That is obviously kind of crazy to see myself go from fighting for playing time with the seniors to now being one of the most crucial roles for the team,” Parker said.
“I have seen my leadership role grow to earn the trust of our teammates. With Shayna and Carmen, we are very close on the field and off the field as well.
“We are like a trio.”