HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Archibald MacIntosh Award was presented to
Elizabeth Cella '29 on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 17, during an on-campus ceremony in the Bryn Mawr Room of the Dining Center. The MacIntosh Award honors the Haverford College sophomore who, during their first year on campus, emerged as the top scholar-athlete in the class.
Sponsored by the Societies of Haverford College, the award honors "Archie Mac," Class of 1921, who served the College as a coach, Director of Athletics, Professor of Psychology, Director of Admission, Vice President and twice Acting President during his long tenure at Haverford. Now in its 62nd year honoring academic and athletic excellence at Haverford, the award was first presented in 1964.
President of the Societies of Haverford College Dan Gordon '90 P'29 served as the master of ceremonies for the evening. Interim Vice President and Dean of the College Scott Wojciechowski, Director of Athletics
Christa Racine and Bill MacIntosh, grandson of Archibald MacIntosh, also spoke during the ceremony. The evening concluded with Head Volleyball Coach
Drew Hargrave introducing Cella before she accepted the award and delivered remarks of her own.
Elizabeth Cella '29 (Volleyball)
Atlanta, Ga. | Whitefield Academy
From the beginning of her Haverford College career,
Elizabeth Cella has displayed an uncommon ability to meet every challenge placed before her.
Whether attacking from the pin in a tightly contested volleyball match or managing the demands of a rigorous academic schedule, Cella has approached each responsibility with the same preparation, determination and composure. That commitment to excellence has allowed her to emerge as one of the nation's most accomplished young volleyball players while embracing the full Haverford student-athlete experience.
"Balancing collegiate volleyball and academics at such a prestigious school is definitely a difficult task," Cella said. "But I have many resources around me to help me stay on top of my work and answer any questions I may have."
Cella made an immediate impact during her rookie campaign in 2025, appearing in all 28 matches and competing in 105 sets for the Fords. She led Haverford with 361 kills, the third-highest total in the Centennial Conference, and recorded at least 15 kills in seven matches. Her standout performances included a season-high 21 kills against Scranton and another 21-kill effort against Dickinson in the opening round of the Centennial Conference Tournament.
Her contributions extended well beyond the attack. Cella finished third on the team with 264 digs, added 29 service aces and totaled 42 blocks. She recorded 10 double-doubles during the season, establishing herself as a complete six-rotation player capable of influencing every phase of a match.
The accolades followed. Cella was named the 2025 Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year and earned first-team All-Centennial Conference recognition. She was also selected to the AVCA All-Region 5 First Team before receiving AVCA Division III All-America honorable mention honors, placing her among the country's elite performers in just her first collegiate season.
Cella also earned spots on the Ford Invite and Haverford Invitational All-Tournament teams in 2025. She returned to the Haverford Invitational All-Tournament Team in 2026, this time earning tournament MVP honors. Her strong start to her sophomore season also produced consecutive Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Week awards on Sept. 9 and Sept. 15.
Even as her individual résumé has grown, Cella's experience at Haverford has remained grounded in the people around her. She credits her teammates, professors and classmates with helping her manage the demands of competing at a high level while succeeding academically.
"Having a team that is not only dedicated to the sport but also committed to academics makes it much easier to find that balance," Cella said. "Utilizing these connections, along with the academic resources and centers provided on campus, has been one of the biggest aids in helping me succeed academically while also competing at a high level."
That balance is not simply a matter of scheduling practices, matches and coursework. For Cella, it is rooted in belonging to communities that encourage her to grow. The same support system that helps her navigate Haverford's academic expectations also gives her the confidence to compete fearlessly on the court.
Her parents have been central to that journey.
"I would like to shout out my mom and dad, who supported me in my journey to collegiate sports and continue to support me while I'm here," Cella said. "They have spent countless hours either watching me play from home or traveling to see me compete, and I am so grateful to have them by my side. Knowing they always have my back brings me comfort and confidence."
She has found another family within the Haverford volleyball program, where teammates and coaches have helped create an environment in which she can thrive.
"I am also incredibly thankful for my team and coaches, who have created an environment that I love to be a part of and that I can't imagine being at Haverford without," Cella said.
Cella's achievements already distinguish her as one of Haverford's brightest young student-athletes. Yet her story is about more than kills, awards or postseason honors. It is about pursuing ambitious goals without sacrificing one part of the collegiate experience for another.
Supported by her family and the Haverford community, the Atlanta, Georgia, native has found the balance necessary to excel in the classroom, compete among the best volleyball players in the country and remain deeply connected to the people who have helped make both possible.
