Having a little faith on the court

Emma Dunlap ’22 has been playing volleyball for 1,836 days and it hasn’t always been easy

By: Elise Seery WSS Intern

09/26/18

She spent years of her life pushing herself to the next level, trying to succeed, devoting hours upon hours to a sport that some people have never paid the time of day, with the constant goal to win. How does she continue to pursue this? How does she continue to stay united with her team and maintain the goal to be unstoppable? Dunlap knows, and the sport she plays is called volleyball.

Volleyball serves as an escape for Dunlap.  “It’s a way to put all of you effort into something and constantly make goals for yourself,” Dunlap said. Dunlap’s Youth Group Leader Sam Anderson, also saw this in Dunlap by saying “(Emma) will work very very hard to achieve her goals.”

Dunlap has played volleyball since fifth grade, although it has not always been easy.  “Some days are hard and you want to give up and I’ve wanted to give up and quit, but it usually doesn’t last that long,” Dunlap said. Being on a team in high stress situations, isn’t the easiest thing. Dunlap really stressed this by saying, “When one of the six people are down it really shows and you need to go help them.”  Dunlap’s team recognizes everything she does for team and her hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Abby McKeone ‘21, Said that “Dunlap (Emma) is the team leader and is always there to advocate if there is a problem.”

“Volleyball you rely on your team and we really implement the saying the team is only as strong as its weakest link.” –Emma Dunlap ‘22

When it comes to the game and competing Dunlap isn’t a beginner, since she is on teams for West Highs sophomore and Adrenaline Volleyball Company. Since the start of her career Dunlap has competed in countless tournaments and games. The most competitive and biggest one being at Amature Athletic Union Nationals in Orlando Florida last June. At this tournament she played for her club volleyball team known as Adrenaline Volleyball Company. Due to school work it can be rough at times especially, because of the time commitment. No matter what, Dunlap says “I love the sport and even if school work gets hard in the middle of the year, I still go on,” Dunlap said.

The future for Dunlap’s volleyball career, isn’t very certain. The one thing for sure, is that she will continue to play volleyball throughout high school. In the future she may coach or play in college, but it’s not for sure. For  now, Dunlap is continuing to push herself so she can be the best player she can be.