Experienced Emerman more confident
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
The West Windsor-Plainsboro South girls’ volleyball team started slow last year but came on strong to nearly make the state tournament.
The Pirates returned most of their team from last year and have picked up where they left off.
”They all have done a little bit to help us,” said Pirates head coach Michael Adams. “This year, overall, the players on the court, all of them have a year experience on the varsity level. It’s amazing how smart they’ll make choices in the game. Inexperienced players might panic. These girls will make plays. They make the right choices. Last year, these same players struggled with that. You can’t replace that, the confidence and experience.”
One of last year’s frustrating early losses came at the hands of WW-P North. South’s sister school was one of the losses that left them a game short of qualifying. The Pirates took a measure of revenge with a 25-19, 25-20 win over the Knights on Friday to improve to 4-2.
”We all are making better choices,” said Michelle Emerman, who had nine kills and 13 digs. “It’s a game all about decisions. We’re making better ones.”
Emerman split time last year at outside hitter, but has moved into a full-time role this season as a junior. It is just her third year playing volleyball after giving up her soccer career due to injuries, including a pair of concussions and a hyper-extended knee.
”It feels a little more natural this year,” Emerman said. “I’ve been playing soccer since I was 5 years old. I had a few injuries. This year, I played the whole year with Ali Lichtenstein. It helped us both a lot.”
Emerman has returned to the Pirates a more confident player and a more effective hitter. But maybe the biggest change is how she handles herself in the rough stretches on the court.
”Last year, I got down on myself,” Emerman said. “I’ve learned to turn that frustration against a team as opposed to against myself. And I’ve been more consistent with my hitting. Last year, I sort of hoped to get it over.”
Emerman has been getting plenty of shots over, and hasn’t had to do it all by herself. It was a balanced attack that helped the Pirates top WW-P North. Lichtenstein had six kills, 10 digs and an ace. Tia Williams had six kills, eight digs and one block.
”She made a difference,” Adams said. “She made them hit around her. She did great. She ran a back slide where she hit the ball so hard. She’s really stepping it up offensively.”
Alexa Figueras had 12 digs, three kills, one block and one ace. Her defense helped complement the Pirates’ offensive strengths.
”Their hitters hit the ball hard down the line, and she was digging those,” Adams said. “She played great. She’s definitely frustrating hitters. Points they think are over are not over.”
Added Emerman: “I feel like (North) was really frustrated. As soon as a team gets down on itself, you know you can win.”
Debbie Brodsky, the Pirates’ other middle, had three kills, one block and three digs. Each of her kills made a statement.
”She was pounding the ball down,” Adams said. “It was nice to see. She can jump higher than anyone on our team and usually anyone in the gym. It was nice to see her put some stuff together.”
Abbey Bemis came through with a solid defensive game that included 18 digs to go with solid passing that led to one assist. The Pirates’ setter, Beth Bemis, had 25 assists with four digs.
”Everybody contributed, which was really nice,” Adams said. “Sometimes, it’s lopsided. We had our outsides get kills, both our middles get kills. Even our setter got a kill. It was well played.”
The Pirates have put last year’s early season struggles behind them and jumped out to a better start. They have a challenging week ahead with Colts Neck, North Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central. The win over the Knights, who dropped to 5-3, showed how far they have come since last season.
”I thought the game was good,” Emerman said. “North has stepped it up over the last few years. We did a lot to prepare for them.
”It’s always a big deal to beat North because of the rivalry, especially with last year’s loss,” she added. “Anything we set our minds to, we can accomplish.”
Emerman points to the team’s closeness a one reason the Pirates are playing better, in addition to their experience. The improved squad has its hopes set on returning to states after a year off.
”Our main goal is to do amazing in states,” Emerman said. “We have a tough week ahead. We’ll try to get prepared. We definitely feel like we’ll make states. We stepped it up at the end of last year, but against some easier teams in the beginning, we gave matches away.”
The Pirates are determined not to suffer the same fate again this season. They have experience and talent and a confidence, all of which should help in their pursuit of a state tournament run. Michelle Emerman is just one of the improved pieces, one reason WW-P South is feeling good about its chances.
”She’s really stepped it up this year,” Adams said. “We needed that.”