Emma is settling into the postseason with the type of control that makes a setter easier to trust. She finished the quarterfinal with 15 assists and nine digs after producing 17 assists, eight digs and four aces in the Sweet 16. The defensive numbers are important because they show how quickly she reconnects to the rally after delivering the second contact. She isn’t treating setting as the end of her responsibility.

The stronger part of Emma’s evaluation may be her approach to improvement. Her coaches have described a player who actively asks what she can do better, seeks extra repetitions and reflects on what the team needs from her. That’s coachability in a form recruiters can actually use. At setter, adjustments happen constantly. Emma appears comfortable receiving information, processing it and applying it rather than needing everything to stay familiar. That learning mentality pairs well with the leadership responsibility already on her shoulders. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga