Meet the Cats: Freshman Emma Pence joins Bobcat Volleyball Program
7/15/2019 11:19:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Emma Pence is one of three newcomers to the Bobcat Volleyball program.
MEET THE BOBCATS:
EMMA PENCE
6-2, Middle Blocker
Carson City, Nevada
HIGH SCHOOL:
Pence prepped at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, and was a two-year letterwinner for the Miners...helped her squad to a 79-19 record during her tenure, including a 27-7 mark last season...as a senior, she posted 331 kills, while hitting .357 from the field...also chipped in 80 blocks, 57 digs and 25 aces as Bishop Manogue captured a regional championship...Pence is a two-time First-Team All-Sierra League selection...as a junior and senior, Bishop Manogue qualified for the Nevada state tournament...finished her career with 579 kills, 138 blocks, 111 digs, 77 aces and a .325 hitting percentage...played and served as captain as a member of the Silver State Volleyball Club that received two junior Olympic bids...played with the Northern Nevada Juniors (NNJ)...off the court, was a two-time all-state academic honoree and a National Honor Society member.
COACH JONES SAYS...
"Emma is a tall, physical middle blocker who runs a very effective slide, and puts up an intimidating block, What really stood out during the recruiting process was the way she is going to fit in seamlessly with the culture of our program. We talked a lot about how she has shown toughness and controlled the things she can in her career so far," he added. "She is committed to becoming the best she can possibly be both on the court and in the classroom. It's these things along with her physicality that leave me in no doubt that Emma has a great chance to leave a legacy here at Montana State. Emma has played some excellent club volleyball with Northern Nevada Juniors and high school volleyball at Bishop Manogue out of Reno, yet, for whatever reason she has gone under the radar. We truly feel like we've picked up a hidden gem.
PERSONAL:
She is the daughter of Bill and Maria Pence...played for head coach Jason Sterrett at Bishop Manogue.
BOBCAT Q & A:
What was it during the recruiting process that eventually made you decide Montana State was where you wanted to play and continue your education? What really drew me to MSU, apart from the coaching staff and players, was how much the community supports Bobcat athletics. The environment that MSU provides really is unique in the sense that the entire community gets excited to support the student-athletes.
Bozeman is such a great volleyball community and MSU has consistently been at the top of the Big Sky Conference in attendance. What would you like to tell Bobcat Nation about yourself as a person and as a player? As a person, I love to get excited during games. Going to other athletes' games and supporting them is something I love to do, and I love being rowdy (while respectful) and really getting the athletes and viewers excited. As a player, I not only love when people attend our games, but attend them in style! Seeing people wearing school gear and colors and having signs is the best as an athlete. There is nothing that gets me more excited for a game then seeing some school spirit.
Can you tell us a little bit about your family? My mother, Maria Pence, is an attorney in Douglas County, Nevada. She specializes in criminal defense but has previously been a prosecuting attorney as well. My father, Bill Pence, is a psychologist at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center. My brother is currently a sophomore at the University of San Diego and is majoring in marketing.
When you're not playing volleyball what do you like to do? When I am not playing volleyball, I love to go to Lake Tahoe with my friends which is only a 45-minute drive from my house. I also love taking my dogs on hikes, playing cards and watching movies with my family.
What is your hidden talent? My hidden talent is making really, good grilled cheese sandwiches. Like they're super good.
What is your ultimate career goal? As of right now, I am not sure what my career will be. However, medicine and criminology have always interested me. Whatever I decide to do, I hope that I can help others and love doing my job.
Who is/are your role-model(s) and why? My role models are my parents. My parents have always strived for greatness while doing so humbly and with passion. Not only have my parents excelled in all the things they do, but they push me every day to excel in school and athletics. Without their support, I would not be where I am today. They have loved me unconditionally, and I will be lucky if one day I am half the person they are.
What's the best thing you've experienced playing volleyball so far in your career? The best experience I have had while playing volleyball was winning the regional championship my junior year of high school. Our starting libero sprained her ankle, leaving her on the bench for one of the most crucial games of the season. Our rival, Reno High School, took advantage of this and brought us to a fifth set. We had the serve at 15-14 and we ended up getting a free ball, which resulted in me getting the game point kill. I remember celebrating with my teammates when all the sudden a massive force of students pushed all of us to the ground in celebration. The energy and nerves that accompanied that game made it the most memorable game of my life.
What makes you laugh or smile? Comedy movies and board games never fail to put a smile on my face. I get to spend time with my family and friends laughing about silly things, and it is the best.
If you could trade places with anyone for 24-hours, who would it be and why? I would trade places with Serena Williams. Not only is she one of my role models, but I would love to be able to inspire and impact so many young women, even just for a day. Serena Williams is an inspiration for so many women all over the world, and I would love to be in her shoes for a day.
What are you looking forward to the most at Montana State University? I am looking forward to volleyball games, especially the Cat-Griz games. The excitement and support that Bozeman brings is special. I truly believe that it can be found nowhere else. I also cannot wait to build strong relationships with the coaching staff and my new teammates as well. They are a special group of girls, and I am very privileged to be able to work with them.
EMMA PENCE
6-2, Middle Blocker
Carson City, Nevada
HIGH SCHOOL:
Pence prepped at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, and was a two-year letterwinner for the Miners...helped her squad to a 79-19 record during her tenure, including a 27-7 mark last season...as a senior, she posted 331 kills, while hitting .357 from the field...also chipped in 80 blocks, 57 digs and 25 aces as Bishop Manogue captured a regional championship...Pence is a two-time First-Team All-Sierra League selection...as a junior and senior, Bishop Manogue qualified for the Nevada state tournament...finished her career with 579 kills, 138 blocks, 111 digs, 77 aces and a .325 hitting percentage...played and served as captain as a member of the Silver State Volleyball Club that received two junior Olympic bids...played with the Northern Nevada Juniors (NNJ)...off the court, was a two-time all-state academic honoree and a National Honor Society member.
COACH JONES SAYS...
"Emma is a tall, physical middle blocker who runs a very effective slide, and puts up an intimidating block, What really stood out during the recruiting process was the way she is going to fit in seamlessly with the culture of our program. We talked a lot about how she has shown toughness and controlled the things she can in her career so far," he added. "She is committed to becoming the best she can possibly be both on the court and in the classroom. It's these things along with her physicality that leave me in no doubt that Emma has a great chance to leave a legacy here at Montana State. Emma has played some excellent club volleyball with Northern Nevada Juniors and high school volleyball at Bishop Manogue out of Reno, yet, for whatever reason she has gone under the radar. We truly feel like we've picked up a hidden gem.
PERSONAL:
She is the daughter of Bill and Maria Pence...played for head coach Jason Sterrett at Bishop Manogue.
BOBCAT Q & A:
What was it during the recruiting process that eventually made you decide Montana State was where you wanted to play and continue your education? What really drew me to MSU, apart from the coaching staff and players, was how much the community supports Bobcat athletics. The environment that MSU provides really is unique in the sense that the entire community gets excited to support the student-athletes.
Bozeman is such a great volleyball community and MSU has consistently been at the top of the Big Sky Conference in attendance. What would you like to tell Bobcat Nation about yourself as a person and as a player? As a person, I love to get excited during games. Going to other athletes' games and supporting them is something I love to do, and I love being rowdy (while respectful) and really getting the athletes and viewers excited. As a player, I not only love when people attend our games, but attend them in style! Seeing people wearing school gear and colors and having signs is the best as an athlete. There is nothing that gets me more excited for a game then seeing some school spirit.
Can you tell us a little bit about your family? My mother, Maria Pence, is an attorney in Douglas County, Nevada. She specializes in criminal defense but has previously been a prosecuting attorney as well. My father, Bill Pence, is a psychologist at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center. My brother is currently a sophomore at the University of San Diego and is majoring in marketing.
When you're not playing volleyball what do you like to do? When I am not playing volleyball, I love to go to Lake Tahoe with my friends which is only a 45-minute drive from my house. I also love taking my dogs on hikes, playing cards and watching movies with my family.
What is your hidden talent? My hidden talent is making really, good grilled cheese sandwiches. Like they're super good.
What is your ultimate career goal? As of right now, I am not sure what my career will be. However, medicine and criminology have always interested me. Whatever I decide to do, I hope that I can help others and love doing my job.
Who is/are your role-model(s) and why? My role models are my parents. My parents have always strived for greatness while doing so humbly and with passion. Not only have my parents excelled in all the things they do, but they push me every day to excel in school and athletics. Without their support, I would not be where I am today. They have loved me unconditionally, and I will be lucky if one day I am half the person they are.
What's the best thing you've experienced playing volleyball so far in your career? The best experience I have had while playing volleyball was winning the regional championship my junior year of high school. Our starting libero sprained her ankle, leaving her on the bench for one of the most crucial games of the season. Our rival, Reno High School, took advantage of this and brought us to a fifth set. We had the serve at 15-14 and we ended up getting a free ball, which resulted in me getting the game point kill. I remember celebrating with my teammates when all the sudden a massive force of students pushed all of us to the ground in celebration. The energy and nerves that accompanied that game made it the most memorable game of my life.
What makes you laugh or smile? Comedy movies and board games never fail to put a smile on my face. I get to spend time with my family and friends laughing about silly things, and it is the best.
If you could trade places with anyone for 24-hours, who would it be and why? I would trade places with Serena Williams. Not only is she one of my role models, but I would love to be able to inspire and impact so many young women, even just for a day. Serena Williams is an inspiration for so many women all over the world, and I would love to be in her shoes for a day.
What are you looking forward to the most at Montana State University? I am looking forward to volleyball games, especially the Cat-Griz games. The excitement and support that Bozeman brings is special. I truly believe that it can be found nowhere else. I also cannot wait to build strong relationships with the coaching staff and my new teammates as well. They are a special group of girls, and I am very privileged to be able to work with them.
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, January 18
Daniel Jones Weekly Press Conference
Monday, November 15
Bobcat Classic: Arkansas vs. Portland
Saturday, September 04
Bobcat Classic: Arkansas vs. Utah State
Friday, September 03
