Emily's love for volleyball began in the 5th grade when a friend of hers asked if she might be willing to help out being a ball girl. She immediately loved the game!  She would be surrounded by high school girls with amazing talent and be with a coach who believed in discipline with a no-nonsense approach and hard work and dedication.  

   "Miss Rowland", as Em called her, and Clair would instill in her the importance of her role. Em took her role very seriously and would attend the 5 a.m. practices as "she was a part of the team and HAD to be there". Being a ball girl was no easy feat under the direction of the Rowlands. You were an important part of the team, you were to be on time, have all the volleyballs accounted for, retrieve balls and have the water bottles filled at all times.  If you happened to not be busy, you best be setting balls against the wall and practicing your own skills. This environement generated several years of incredible talent under their direction. 

  Em lived for the times when she would be told to get into rotation with the Varsity...an opportunity to play with the Varsity girls. When you are 10 years old and try to return a Seniors spike at you, it was a thrill for Em, never an intimidation.  After several years of this, I can remember her being so excited that she actually was able to return one of those spikes back over the net.  She usually would say that she "shanked them but was getting better". Being in the gym with talented athletes and having a volleyball constantly in her hands naturally increased her ability.