Friday Digs: Emma Pence
7/17/2020 7:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Heading into the 2019 season it was quite evident that head coach Daniel Jones was going to need a freshman or two to step-up – especially at the middle blocking position.
Every Friday from now until the beginning of the volleyball season will we spotlight a member of the Bobcat volleyball program. Now up: Emma Pence.
Heading into the 2019 season it was quite evident that head coach Daniel Jones was going to need a freshman or two to step-up – especially at the middle blocking position. Jones knew he was going to rely heavily on veteran middle Kelsie White, but to find success, the Bobcats would need another, inexperienced middle, to make an impact. Freshman Emma Pence answered the call. The product of Carson City, Nevada, had an outstanding inaugural season in the Blue & Gold, playing in all 29 matches and 112 sets. In addition, the fiery redhead provided a steady effort on both the offensive and defensive side of the net. Pence ended the season ranked second in Big Sky Conference play averaging 1.10 blocks per set, while at the same time recording 1.64 kills per set.
CATCHING UP WITH EMMA:
1). Can you give us an update on your current status?
During the beginning of the summer I took an Intro to Sociology class, which was really interesting. Once that finished, I decided to get a job at Cold Stone, which is one of the best jobs I've had! Other than working and volleyball, I hang out with the girls I am living with to pass time. I think that right now there's a lot of uncertainty, which is scary for me, but I am just staying positive and doing what I can do to keep myself and others safe.
2). How do you think the spring volleyball season was progressing before everything shut down?
Personally, I feel like I was getting stronger and becoming a better volleyball player before we shut down. As for the team, I believe we were, and still are, on our way to becoming one of the best teams in the conference. We were working hard every morning, conditioning, lifting heavy weights, and perfecting our skills. While it is a shame that we got shut down, I still believe that all that hard work will follow us into this season.
3). What are your goals heading into the fall and what are the expectations for the team?
The goals and expectations of this team have not changed since being shut down in the spring. Our team goal is still to win the Big Sky Conference Championship, and the expectation is that everyone always gives everything they have to the team so we can achieve that goal.
HEAD COACH DANIEL JONES ON EMMA PENCE:
"I was really impressed with Emma from day one of fall camp last year. She came in and made an immediate impact as a freshman establishing herself as one of the premier blockers in the competition. I believe with another year under her belt she can climb the ranks as an offensive threat also. There is no doubt she has the physicality and mentality to be an elite middle blocker in the Big Sky Conference."
PENCE'S PLAYING BIO:
FRESHMAN (2019):
Played in all 29 matches and 112 sets as a true-freshman…in her first season in the Blue and Gold established herself as one of the best blockers in the Big Sky Conference…ranked second in the Big Sky in league averaging 1.10 blocks per set…ranked third in BSC in overall match averaging 1.19 blocks per outing…led Montana State at the net with 133 total blocks; 19 solo blocks and 114 block assists…posted 15 matches with five or more blocks…closed out the year with a season-best nine blocks in back-to-back matches at the Big Sky Conference Tournament against Sacramento State and Northern Colorado…offensively, tallied 184 kills, averaging 1.64 kills per set…had season-high 10 kills on four occasions, the last coming in MSU's 3-2 win over Sacramento State during the regular-season in Shroyer Gym… hit .217 on the season…registered six matches hitting at .350 or better…recorded Big Sky best against Northern Arizona…was an all-Big Sky Conference Academic selection.
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.
PERSONAL:
She is the daughter of Bill and Maria Pence...played for head coach Jason Sterrett at Bishop M
Heading into the 2019 season it was quite evident that head coach Daniel Jones was going to need a freshman or two to step-up – especially at the middle blocking position. Jones knew he was going to rely heavily on veteran middle Kelsie White, but to find success, the Bobcats would need another, inexperienced middle, to make an impact. Freshman Emma Pence answered the call. The product of Carson City, Nevada, had an outstanding inaugural season in the Blue & Gold, playing in all 29 matches and 112 sets. In addition, the fiery redhead provided a steady effort on both the offensive and defensive side of the net. Pence ended the season ranked second in Big Sky Conference play averaging 1.10 blocks per set, while at the same time recording 1.64 kills per set.
CATCHING UP WITH EMMA:
1). Can you give us an update on your current status?
During the beginning of the summer I took an Intro to Sociology class, which was really interesting. Once that finished, I decided to get a job at Cold Stone, which is one of the best jobs I've had! Other than working and volleyball, I hang out with the girls I am living with to pass time. I think that right now there's a lot of uncertainty, which is scary for me, but I am just staying positive and doing what I can do to keep myself and others safe.
2). How do you think the spring volleyball season was progressing before everything shut down?
Personally, I feel like I was getting stronger and becoming a better volleyball player before we shut down. As for the team, I believe we were, and still are, on our way to becoming one of the best teams in the conference. We were working hard every morning, conditioning, lifting heavy weights, and perfecting our skills. While it is a shame that we got shut down, I still believe that all that hard work will follow us into this season.
3). What are your goals heading into the fall and what are the expectations for the team?
The goals and expectations of this team have not changed since being shut down in the spring. Our team goal is still to win the Big Sky Conference Championship, and the expectation is that everyone always gives everything they have to the team so we can achieve that goal.
HEAD COACH DANIEL JONES ON EMMA PENCE:
"I was really impressed with Emma from day one of fall camp last year. She came in and made an immediate impact as a freshman establishing herself as one of the premier blockers in the competition. I believe with another year under her belt she can climb the ranks as an offensive threat also. There is no doubt she has the physicality and mentality to be an elite middle blocker in the Big Sky Conference."
PENCE'S PLAYING BIO:
FRESHMAN (2019):
Played in all 29 matches and 112 sets as a true-freshman…in her first season in the Blue and Gold established herself as one of the best blockers in the Big Sky Conference…ranked second in the Big Sky in league averaging 1.10 blocks per set…ranked third in BSC in overall match averaging 1.19 blocks per outing…led Montana State at the net with 133 total blocks; 19 solo blocks and 114 block assists…posted 15 matches with five or more blocks…closed out the year with a season-best nine blocks in back-to-back matches at the Big Sky Conference Tournament against Sacramento State and Northern Colorado…offensively, tallied 184 kills, averaging 1.64 kills per set…had season-high 10 kills on four occasions, the last coming in MSU's 3-2 win over Sacramento State during the regular-season in Shroyer Gym… hit .217 on the season…registered six matches hitting at .350 or better…recorded Big Sky best against Northern Arizona…was an all-Big Sky Conference Academic selection.
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.
PERSONAL:
She is the daughter of Bill and Maria Pence...played for head coach Jason Sterrett at Bishop M
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballMatt 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
