Growing up, an older sibling can serve as somebody you can look up to and strive to be. For two women’s basketball players, following in the footsteps of their sisters led them right to St. Thomas.

Sophomores Allie Spaulding and Ellie Wolkow both had sisters compete in the women’s basketball program at St. Thomas.

Spaulding had two older sisters spend their time in Schoenecker Arena, Myckenzie and Hannah, and Wolkow’s older sister, Maddie, played as well. Both athletes said it’s “special and unique” to be able to follow in the footsteps of someone that inspires them.

“It’s super cool to be able to play where my sister played, especially because she’s one of the reasons I came here,” Wolkow said. “I wasn’t really thinking about it at first, but the community on the team and coach Sinn were a big influence.”

Wolkow wasn’t even considering attending St. Thomas as she felt it was her sister’s court. However, a walkthrough and chat with head coach Ruth Sinn changed her mind.

“She told me to make it my school, not Maddie’s,” Wolkow said. “That really had a big impact and kind of helped persuade me.”

Maddie Wolkow graduated in 2017, a year before Ellie started school at St. Thomas.

For Ellie, her sister was not only an inspiring figure, but an individual who has helped her be a better player.

“I love the team, the program and St. Thomas,” Wolkow said. “It’s a home for a lot of us.”

The Spaulding family has a rich history with St. Thomas. All three Spaulding sisters have played basketball as Tommies. Allie’s Spaulding influence from her two older sisters was why she chose to enroll at St. Thomas.

Spaulding’s eldest sister, Myckenzie, graduated when Hannah was a freshman in the 2016-17 season. Hannah went on to graduate at the end of the 2018-19 season.

Each sister had the opportunity to share the court with a sibling, something Allie saw as a “special and unique” moment.

“I don’t like to compare myself to either of them, but they both did so well here and it just pushes me to be better,” Spaulding said. “They’ve both gone on to do a lot with their lives outside of St. Thomas, so I’m kind of waiting to follow that.”

Spaulding’s father completed a masters in business at St. Thomas, and she’s had three previous and one current cousin enroll as well. What ties the group together is that her cousins are related to former longtime Athletic Director Steve Fritz.

“We have a big connection to St. Thomas, and it’s one of the reasons why I came here,” Spaulding said.

Both athletes found inspiration in their older siblings, helping them both find a place on the court and a place to call home.

Jacob Schneider can be reached at schn6923@stthomas.edu.