Emma showed how quickly an outside hitter can change a match without relying exclusively on a kill. During Gordon Lee’s semifinal against Savannah Arts, she finished with 17 kills and 13 digs, but one of her most important plays came on defense. A diving, one-handed save helped keep a fifth-set rally alive and shifted the momentum back toward Gordon Lee.

That type of play reflects more than effort. Emma reads the rally, recognizes that the ball is still playable and commits to extending the point rather than conceding it. She also uses touch effectively, giving her another option when the defense is positioned for a hard-driven swing. Her combination of attacking production, defensive range and willingness to make a difficult play gives her a well-rounded profile at the pin.  ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga