Girls Soccer Preview: To teammates and mom’s glee, Ellertson returns to King’s Way

Ellertson suffered a back injury last August, which delayed her D.A. start until January. During her recovery, she helped out with the King’s Way team, ran the scoreboard and kept stats during games.

Throughout her time playing for Crossfire Premier, which consisted of weekly road trips to practice in Redmond and weekend travel, she mulled a return to high school soccer.

She wanted to be part of the action again.

To fully understand Ellertson’s commitment, take into account her commute. Once a week, the 17-year-old would leave school at noon to drive, solo, up to Redmond for a 5 p.m. practice, then return the same night, typically arriving home between 11 p.m. and midnight in order to make school the next morning.

This became routine for much of the past eight months.

Though stressful at times dealing with traffic, to Ellertson it was worthwhile.

“It’s a very professional environment,” she said. “It was tough being away from (high school soccer), but I benefitted greatly. Another year would have been nice, but I don’t think it was 100 percent necessary. I can find good competition here in Vancouver.”

Her decision underscores a greater tug-of-war between elite soccer prospects, who vie to maximize the top training available, yet feel a sense of loyalty to the community they grew up in.

Ellertson said she had D.A. teammates mulling over the same dilemma. But in her case, she got the best of both worlds by D.A. for seven months with a Pac-12 commitment under her belt, and now the opportunity to play in her final high school season.

She missed the camaraderie and familiarity of playing soccer with her childhood friends, and under her mom, Knights coach and former U.S. Women’s National Team player Tina Ellertson.

“I don’t know whose more excited, mom or coach,” Tina Ellertson said.

In her experience playing professional soccer, Tina Ellertson knows there are times when athletes need to pump the breaks, and in the all-consuming world of youth elite travel teams, she believes MacKenzie’s senior year presents the right opportunity.

“What I see in athletes as they make the transition into the next level, you’re going to a four-year job,” Tina Ellertson said. “I’m glad she gets the opportunity to love the sport right now. We don’t want soccer to take away the things you love about being a 17-18 year old.”

Plus, MacKenzie feels King’s Way has unfinished business.

The Knights have won the district title the past four season, and made it past the first round of the state tournament for the first time last year. It’s an experienced roster with 10 seniors, eight of which with four years of varsity experience under their belts. The team is eager to test itself early, and has scheduled Skyview and University Prep of Seattle.

“I’m 100 percent looking forward to being close with the girls again,” MacKenzie Ellertson said. “I’m excited to see what we do this year. If we can come together, we have a shot to do something big this year.”

Season storylines

Camas Primed: All-Region POY Maddie Kemp and four more first team all-league selections returning from a state semifinal season spells a strong season.

River Returns: The Chieftains won state in 2016 and finished second last season. With striker Shalece Easley back, can they make another deep run?

Prairie Poised: With three first team all-league selections departed, the Falcons vie to reload and defend the 3A GSHL crown against a tough league.

Thunder Hungry: Mountain View has come up just shy of the league title the last few years. It returns eight starters — four all-league selections — and is determined to make this its year.

Storm Coming? Skyview finished a narrow third in the 4A GSHL last season. But the Storm bring back four all-league selections, begging the question: can the Storm finish in the top two?