Pence Finding Way on Court, In Classroom at Montana State
9/17/2020 4:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Emma Pence is making an impact for the Montana State volleyball program both athletically and academically
There was a time when the highest level of college volleyball wasn't in the picture for Emma Pence. After one season at Montana State, it's clear Pence can make an impact on the Division I landscape.
A native of Carson City, Nevada, Pence had individual and team success playing prep volleyball. She was a two-time first team all-league selection at Bishop Manogue high school and had been a key player on her club teams as she rose in age through Junior Olympic Volleyball.
But college opportunities for the 6-foot-2 middle blocker weren't pouring in despite the year-long commitment to the sport.
"There was a point in my life where I didn't think I'd become a DI athlete," Pence said.
She had decided to quit her final year of club volleyball. But one of her former coaches, Jason Sterrett, talked her back into competition with his Northern Nevada Junior Volleyball Club. He explained to her that she had the ability to play beyond high school. When she got on the court again, her recruiting started to gain some traction. She eventually wound up in Bozeman.
"I didn't know I was coming to Montana State until the spring of my senior year," Pence said. "I was a really late commit, so it was kind of fate. I feel super lucky to be part of the program."
Her move from the prep to college ranks did take a bit of an adjustment.
Pence described going into her first practice as a Bobcat during the summer of 2019 as surreal. Having players like all-conference senior captains Allyssa Rizzo and Evi Wilson on her side was something Pence hadn't experienced before. Having a teammate that was taller and had years of starting experience like Kelsie White was initially a surprise because she was use to being the tallest player on the court.
Her teammates' belief in her that she could contribute to the Bobcats' success helped as she became familiar with the college game during her freshman season.
"Once I started playing and realizing that I can hang with these girls, I felt better," Pence said. "They want me to be good, they want me to compete, they don't want me to not do well. There's always a voice in your head that gives you some insecurities. I think right now from last year, they engrained in me you're good enough to be here."
Pence played in all 29 of MSU's matches during a 2019 season that saw the Bobcats earn a Big Sky Conference postseason victory for the first time in 14 years. She established herself as one of the best blockers in the league, ranking second in the Big Sky averaging 1.10 blocks per set. Pence got better as the season wore on by putting up back-to-back matches of nine blocks at the Big Sky tournament. She tied her season-high 10 kills mark in MSU's Big Sky quarterfinal win over Sacramento State.
"I was really grateful," Pence said of her first season as a Bobcat. "I really just have to thank the coaches, they really helped me step into it. It's a big transition from high school to Division I. Doing it as a freshman, that's even more challenging because you have no spring, so you don't have as much time to prepare."
Heading into her second year on the volleyball court, Pence has begun to shape her future both athletically and academically at MSU.
Pence said she's come out of several meetings with her coaches and teammates with plenty of goals set. She believes the foundation has been set for the program by the recent class of upperclassmen and that there are leaders on the team to help keep the Bobcats moving forward. She's now had a full year in Bozeman, so now individually, she's been able to focus on improving on the nuances of her game.
She's also been able to plan what her life may look like after Montana State.
Pence is double majoring in sociology and psychology and said she might try to make her minor in Hispanic studies into a third major. A recent member of the school's President's List (4.0 GPA) during the 2020 spring semester, the Bobcat middle blocker hopes to possibly study abroad. While a specific future profession doesn't stand out, she's interested in graduate school and law school.
If her ambitions seem high, it's because Pence has always been driven in her pursuits, even if they're from other sources in her life.
"I was just raised like that," Pence said of her staying on track in the classroom. "I think my mom would kill me if I didn't get a 4.0 or an A. She's a little more understanding now. I think she'd let me get a B."
In less than a two-year span, Pence has went from a senior in high school not knowing what her next step would be to becoming an integral part of the Montana State volleyball program. That process is something she said she's appreciative of.
"I love it here," Pence said. "My favorite thing here is just the support. I feel like I know all of the athletes, I know the administration, I feel like the whole community comes out for every game. They always show up.
"I'm just really grateful for this opportunity to play the sport I love and get an education while doing it."
As Montana State Athletics strives to develop the best and brightest student-athletes, support for the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund is crucial now more than ever. Donating to the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund's Plant The Flag initiative ensures not only that the 350-plus Bobcat student-athletes will continue to receive the resources needed to succeed in and out of competition, but that Montana State Athletics will rise above the pack stronger.
For more information about the Plant The Flag initiative, visit MSUBobcatClub.com or contact a member of the Bobcat Club staff.
A native of Carson City, Nevada, Pence had individual and team success playing prep volleyball. She was a two-time first team all-league selection at Bishop Manogue high school and had been a key player on her club teams as she rose in age through Junior Olympic Volleyball.
But college opportunities for the 6-foot-2 middle blocker weren't pouring in despite the year-long commitment to the sport.
"There was a point in my life where I didn't think I'd become a DI athlete," Pence said.
She had decided to quit her final year of club volleyball. But one of her former coaches, Jason Sterrett, talked her back into competition with his Northern Nevada Junior Volleyball Club. He explained to her that she had the ability to play beyond high school. When she got on the court again, her recruiting started to gain some traction. She eventually wound up in Bozeman.
"I didn't know I was coming to Montana State until the spring of my senior year," Pence said. "I was a really late commit, so it was kind of fate. I feel super lucky to be part of the program."
Her move from the prep to college ranks did take a bit of an adjustment.
Pence described going into her first practice as a Bobcat during the summer of 2019 as surreal. Having players like all-conference senior captains Allyssa Rizzo and Evi Wilson on her side was something Pence hadn't experienced before. Having a teammate that was taller and had years of starting experience like Kelsie White was initially a surprise because she was use to being the tallest player on the court.
Her teammates' belief in her that she could contribute to the Bobcats' success helped as she became familiar with the college game during her freshman season.
"Once I started playing and realizing that I can hang with these girls, I felt better," Pence said. "They want me to be good, they want me to compete, they don't want me to not do well. There's always a voice in your head that gives you some insecurities. I think right now from last year, they engrained in me you're good enough to be here."
Pence played in all 29 of MSU's matches during a 2019 season that saw the Bobcats earn a Big Sky Conference postseason victory for the first time in 14 years. She established herself as one of the best blockers in the league, ranking second in the Big Sky averaging 1.10 blocks per set. Pence got better as the season wore on by putting up back-to-back matches of nine blocks at the Big Sky tournament. She tied her season-high 10 kills mark in MSU's Big Sky quarterfinal win over Sacramento State.
"I was really grateful," Pence said of her first season as a Bobcat. "I really just have to thank the coaches, they really helped me step into it. It's a big transition from high school to Division I. Doing it as a freshman, that's even more challenging because you have no spring, so you don't have as much time to prepare."
Heading into her second year on the volleyball court, Pence has begun to shape her future both athletically and academically at MSU.
Pence said she's come out of several meetings with her coaches and teammates with plenty of goals set. She believes the foundation has been set for the program by the recent class of upperclassmen and that there are leaders on the team to help keep the Bobcats moving forward. She's now had a full year in Bozeman, so now individually, she's been able to focus on improving on the nuances of her game.
She's also been able to plan what her life may look like after Montana State.
Pence is double majoring in sociology and psychology and said she might try to make her minor in Hispanic studies into a third major. A recent member of the school's President's List (4.0 GPA) during the 2020 spring semester, the Bobcat middle blocker hopes to possibly study abroad. While a specific future profession doesn't stand out, she's interested in graduate school and law school.
If her ambitions seem high, it's because Pence has always been driven in her pursuits, even if they're from other sources in her life.
"I was just raised like that," Pence said of her staying on track in the classroom. "I think my mom would kill me if I didn't get a 4.0 or an A. She's a little more understanding now. I think she'd let me get a B."
In less than a two-year span, Pence has went from a senior in high school not knowing what her next step would be to becoming an integral part of the Montana State volleyball program. That process is something she said she's appreciative of.
"I love it here," Pence said. "My favorite thing here is just the support. I feel like I know all of the athletes, I know the administration, I feel like the whole community comes out for every game. They always show up.
"I'm just really grateful for this opportunity to play the sport I love and get an education while doing it."
As Montana State Athletics strives to develop the best and brightest student-athletes, support for the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund is crucial now more than ever. Donating to the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund's Plant The Flag initiative ensures not only that the 350-plus Bobcat student-athletes will continue to receive the resources needed to succeed in and out of competition, but that Montana State Athletics will rise above the pack stronger.
For more information about the Plant The Flag initiative, visit MSUBobcatClub.com or contact a member of the Bobcat Club staff.
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