Ella Cole may play with ‘quiet intensity.’ But ‘Miss Nonchalant’ is generating excitement for Neuqua Valley.

Neuqua Valley’s Ella Cole is not one to seek attention.

The 6-foot-1 senior middle hitter prefers let her play do the talking and keeps her celebrations low-key.

“We call her ‘Miss Nonchalant’ because she comes across as nonchalant,” Neuqua Valley coach Jamie Buhnerkemper said. “She’s even-keel.”

Cole’s fire burns under the surface.

“I feel like I kind of have a quiet intensity that I play with,” she said. “I feel like actions speak louder than words, so just having that mindset really helps me as a player.”

Cole has fostered Neuqua Valley’s resurgence both on and off the court in her second varsity season. She has been a force at the net and increasingly in the huddle.

“She has brought a lot of energy to the team this year,” Buhnerkemper said. “In games, she’s really turned it on this year and really been a presence with her energy and excitement.”

There was plenty for the Wildcats to be excited about on Wednesday. Cole recorded 10 kills, tying her with sophomore outside hitter Alexandra Durkin for the match high, and three blocks in Neuqua Valley’s 25-18, 25-22 DuPage Valley Conference victory over visiting Waubonsie Valley in Naperville.

“Alex controlled the first set,” Buhnerkemper said. “Ella controlled the second set.”

Indeed, Cole racked up eight of her kills in the hard-fought second set, which the Wildcats (19-13, 5-3) won even though Waubonsie Valley (15-13, 5-3) committed only one error. Neuqua Valley sophomore setter Tatum Kelly, a Division I prospect, finished with 23 assists.

“She’s been playing really well,” Kelly said of Cole. “One of her strengths would definitely be her blocking. She brings a lot to the game on the defensive side. She also hits very well, but she’s done an excellent job blocking this season and helping us out on defense.”

Cole split time between outside and middle last season, when the inexperienced Wildcats finished 7-28. Now they are in a four-way race with Waubonsie Valley, Naperville North and Naperville Central for the DVC championship.

Cole is playing exclusively in the middle, but her duties also include serving as co-captain alongside Kelly and senior libero Anamaria Aldea.

“Last year we had a ton of freshmen, so they’re more comfortable now, and as a captain I feel like it’s important to make sure that they’re all comfortable,” Cole said. “So I think that’s really helping us overall. It’s a new role, really different for me, and it’s really nice. I enjoy it.”

Kelly, who missed last season due to injury, is enjoying playing with Cole.

“She’s always been a great part of our team, especially as captain this year,” Kelly said. “She’s a really good leader.

“And then she gives us another option to hit. We set a lot to our outsides, so it helps our outsides when our middles are on. It helps balance our offense.”

Cole’s performance against Waubonsie Valley was a balance of great defense at the net — where she has a knack for directional blocking, especially on overpasses — and hitting. She recorded two kills down the stretch of the second set after the Warriors had pulled within two points.

Cole, who has an offer from Dominican University and wants to study sports management and marketing, is still deciding whether she wants to play in college. What she has done this season indicates she’s capable of it.

“I think I’m doing a lot better this year,” Cole said. “I think as long as we have a good pass and Tatum can set me up, that just sets us up for a great hit.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.