She was named Gatorade Player of the Year for Maryland. Prep Dig also named her the high school player of the year for Marylnd. She set as well as hit Richard Montgomery to back to back Maryland state championships, the only two in their high school history.

When Ema began club she played mostly left side. She was too valuable playing the back row to play right side. Taking her out for a setter when MVSA ran a 6/2 was not an option. MVSA used her as a hitter in the back row to generate more offense. Plus, her passing kept the team in system. In her last two years she played a six rotation right side once MVSA switched to a 5/1.

Her versatility to set as well as hit from both pins gives her a lot of versatility. She will use that versatility while playing for UMBC next year. They picked up a gem.

Her first exposure to me was at a local Maryland tournament at the 16 level. She was a lefthander swinging left side and playing six rotations. She clearly stood out as the dominant player on the court.

When I talked to one of the local coaches who once coached her, he called her one of the nicest human beings you could meet on this planet. So that brought her up a few notches as well.

Then I watched her play high school for Richard Montgomery. It surprised me to see her set and hit right side for the Rockets. Not a lot of players stand 6’0″ who have the skills to set and also hammer the ball from the right side. In fact, as good as she hit the ball from the left side her ability to hit from the right side was even better. Such versatility for a player.

Richard Montgomery won the state championship in 2023. They also won it again in 2024. Still, despite all these accomplishments she was the last player in my top ten ranking from the class of 2025 to commit. Don’t know the reason why it took so long, especially with her skills.

Ema committed to UMBC.