Senior Focus: Emily Sommers: Brownstown Central High School

By Arv Koontz, The Tribune, Seymour, Ind.

Nov. 3--Emily Sommers has accomplished a lot through athletics at Brownstown Central High School.

She has competed on Mid-Southern Conference and sectional championship teams in volleyball and track, and she has played in the state volleyball tournament the past two years.

Two things missing on her list are helping the Braves win a state volleyball championship and advancing to the state track meet.

Sommers will try to help the volleyball team reach the first of those goals on Saturday.

"I think if we work really hard like we did (at regional) and at the sectional and play hard like we can, it will be a good match," she said.

The Braves will play Muncie Burris on Saturday at Delta High School.

This is her third season starting in the front row. She played right-side hitter her sophomore year, and she has been a middle hitter the past two seasons.

"It's really fun to win, and the team gets along really well," Sommers said. "It's been a really good year."

Sommers said one key to winning is communication. She said the team uses hand and verbal signals.

"If the (other teams' setter) is in the front row, we have to make sure we block her on a tip," she said.

In blocking, Sommers said, "You have to watch the hitter in front of you. Most of the time, if there is a really big blocker, Sammie (Bane) will set it more one way so we can hit it easier."

Sommers said the Braves have had success because "we have a lot of girls that try hard, we have a lot of girls that play club ball and we all work hard to be a good team."

Sommers said she hopes to run sprints in track next spring. She ran sprints her sophomore year, then switched to hurdles last spring.

"I like the 100 better (than the 200)," she said. "A good start is the key."

She has run the 4x100 relay the past two years, running leadoff last spring.

"Our relay team should be pretty good," she said. "On the relays, it doesn't matter what lane you run in, but in the 200, you want to start on the inside."

Emily Sommers file

Parents: Brian and Jill Sommers

Sibling: Kyle

Sports: Volleyball 4 years, track 3 years

Home volleyball matches: "They're exciting. I like having all our fans here."

Favorite away gym: "Eastern Greene was nice."

Biggest thrill in volleyball: "Going to state all three years I've been on varsity. It's been exciting."

Track weather: "The warmer weather is easier to run in, because when it's cold, you kind of lose your breath."

Clubs and organizations: Booster Club, Lettermen's Club, Sportsman's Club, National Honor Society

Message to elementary students: "Be involved in playing sports and stay involved in school. Work hard on getting good grades."

Future plans: Attend University of Evansville

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