Emma Kingston Emma Kingston 6'4" | MB/RS Mater Dei | 2027 State #163 Nation CA came off the bench and played all four sets, hitting .476 with 11 kills on 21 swings. She gives herself room to work all of her hitting angles, then uses the full menu: an off speed kill to the corner, a tip to the left, a strong kill to right back, a high dump over the block and a swing off the top of the block. She also set a huge block on the outside with Seung. She plays with tempo.

She has been a PrepDig name since the 2024 Mater Dei win over Mira Costa, and Saturday showed how much her game has grown. She takes that growth to Cal.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Emma Kingston Emma Kingston 6'4" | MB/RS Mater Dei | 2027 State #163 Nation CA has been in the middle of this rivalry from the start.

She is a 6’4″ senior middle blocker, committed to Cal and ranked No. 22 in the state’s 2027 class. Congratulations, Emma, on getting back to the CIF finals one more time.

She was a sophomore in the 2024 final, when Mater Dei swept Sierra Canyon, and she put away 5 kills on .500 hitting. Last year she raised her game. She had 13 kills on .370 hitting and 3 blocks and was named the Mater Dei Player of the Match, even though Sierra Canyon won in four sets.

I have watched Emma for years. She closes the net with quick feet and picks her angles with purpose. This fall she looks like a player who knows exactly what her team needs from her in a match like this.

Here is what she told me about this last one:

“This means a lot as a senior. This is my last time being in the CIF finals and I will miss it. Sierra is a formidable opponent, but I’m confident in our team and our plan against them. It should be a really good game, and I have a lot of respect for them. But I am also confident in our own abilities and talents to compete at such a high level.”

That is the voice of a player who has seen both outcomes in this matchup. She respects Sierra Canyon and she still trusts her team’s plan. Coaches should notice how she talks about a rival she has faced two years running: with respect, and without flinching.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Emma Kingston Emma Kingston 6'4" | MB/RS Mater Dei | 2027 State #163 Nation CA closed the net from pin to pin.

Emma is a 6’4″ senior middle committed to Cal and ranked No. 22 in the state’s 2027 class.

Emma was fired up last night over a net call. I have watched Emma play for years, and last night she showed passion on the court. She blocked with fast footwork and covered the full length of the net with ease. On offense she used her wrist snap to control her angles with purpose, cutting the ball both left and right. She finished with 4 kills on 8 swings without an error.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Click to view Emma Kingston Emma Kingston 6'4" | MB/RS Mater Dei | 2027 State #163 Nation CA

Emma Kingston Emma Kingston 6'4" | MB/RS Mater Dei | 2027 State #163 Nation CA is one of the most improved players I’ve seen develop. Her pace, vision, and confidence are at an all-time high. With a fast arm swing and the ability to score off a variety of sets, she’s become a key offensive weapon. She reads the block well, changes speeds when needed, and consistently finds ways to score. Emma plays with the kind of offensive instincts the middle position was meant for. To all the young middles out there, Emma Kingston Emma Kingston 6'4" | MB/RS Mater Dei | 2027 State #163 Nation CA ‘s style is the one to study. Emma is verbally committed to play volleyball at the University of California, Berkeley!~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247