Interview with Emma Frierson, senior, volleyball player.

Q: How long has the team been practicing to go to states?

A: Plant volleyball had conditioning all throughout summer and as soon as the team was announced in early August we began practicing. From the beginning we decided that throughout the season we would play to the best of our abilities, this is what allowed us to make it so far. I think while we played it one game at a time, we soon realized how possible states was if we really wanted it. For some more challenging teams we would watch film and discuss how we could adapt certain rotations to increase our chances of scoring. So while we trailered our practices to prepare for St Thomas Aquinas, I think during the year we were really just focused on making our own team better, playing our game, rather than comparing ourselves to others.

Q: How did you bond with your teammates during the road to states?

A: It was the little moments that weren’t spent playing that showed me how great everyone was off the court as well as on it. We always eat dinner together before games, so we all got to talk about school or plans for the weekend. We also did team bonding things like indoor go-karting. In the earlier practices Margeaux would always have us learn something about one another on water breaks, something like ‘how many siblings does everyone have?’ Or ‘share your most embarrassing story.’ But my favorite times were definitely all of our van rides to away games. Nothing brings you closer to a teammate than singing acapella right before you fall asleep on them.

Q: What was most memorable about the state championship game?

A: Probably the moment when I looked over at Ansley Gould and we both just walked over to each other and started hugging each other and crying. Not in a sad way, we were both just so happy to play with each other and it was kind of hard to imagine we weren’t going to again.

Q: If you could go into the past and give yourself a piece of advice before the game, what would it be?

A: To take the time in between the plays to look at the opponents, the crowd, the bench, and the other girls on the court and just soak it in. Be alive during each point and just go after it.

Q: Who are the teammates you look up to?

A: Everyone inspires me in a different way, but if I had to name a few individually, it would be Kaylie Butts, Ansley Gould, Camryn Vogler, Lexie Atlas, and Destiny Johnson.

Q: What are some skills you gained during this season that helped the team make it to states?

A: I actually didn’t think I was going to play this year, over summer Ansley reached out to me asking if I wanted to meet for lunch to talk about volleyball and she convinced me to try out. So I was a little rusty, but Margeaux [Sinibaldi] coached me back into shape. But I was never the biggest hitter out there, there were always the pin hitters or Kaylie that we’re getting the kills. But I was the teammate that could pick you up when you were getting frustrated for hitting balls out or shaking a few passes. I always tried to compliment someone after every play because sometimes a little recognition can be just the thing to lift your spirits. Even when I was tired I tried to put on a smile for the other girls. And I LOVE giving high-fives to people.

Q: Were you content with the outcome of the states game?

A: At first, I was devastated and I felt the tears coming. We had worked so hard and I wanted this not just for me, but for us, all of us. But after a few moments of hugging and smiling and blinking away the tears I realized that we had gotten second in states. What a great accomplishment! And for awhile the first place, second place aspect fled my mind and I just thought-even if we had won, all of my memories up to this point would still be the same. Every experience from the season would still be there, just with a first place title. I can’t stress how much I enjoyed this year, my teammates, my coaches, and the knowledge that so many people were supporting us. And don’t get me wrong, winning would have been glorious, but with such an amazing team we were still victorious.