When she came to MSU in 2000, Emmy Miller faced a gigantic challenge - playing volleyball.
Miller was a three-year letter winner at Okemos High School and played for Lansing Area Volleyball Association and USA Michigan teams before becoming a Spartan.
But all that experience didn’t prime her for collegiate ball - not mentally or physically.
“Her freshman year, she was just really overwhelmed,” head coach Chuck Erbe said. “She wasn’t prepared for this level at all.
“She was very rigid and she had no idea how to relax. At times I think she questioned whether she could actually do this.”
During the summer before her sophomore year, not only did she have to tune-up her play, she had to refocus her mental attitude.
Erbe talked with Miller and tried to develop her mental game. Once he got her to relax, the rest seemed simple, Miller said.
The difference was obvious in her sophomore year. She was one of the top back row subs that helped the Spartans in all aspects of their game.
Now, in her junior season, she continues to excel on the floor.
“This year, it’s just all reaction,” Miller said. “I don’t even have to think when I’m out there.”
With the libero position added to NCAA volleyball this year, Miller has even more of a chance to shine.
The position allows Miller to play five of the six rotations (the libero doesn’t serve). In the past she was just used as a defensive specialist and played only in three of the six rotations.
“At first, I didn’t think I was going to like it,” Miller said. “But now that I’ve played it for three weekends, I love it.
“It helps me stay in the rhythm and stay in the groove. I’m not coming in the game cold after sitting out for three rotations anymore.”
MSU’s other libero is redshirt freshman Marley Bellwood. Miller has become somewhat of a mentor to her.
Bellwood said she improves every time on the floor just by watching Miller.
“Out of all the liberos I’ve seen, she’s one of the best,” Bellwood said. “And she’s always pushing me to be better.”
But even as a teacher, Miller adds to her own education. Her numbers show that she continues to improve each time she steps on the floor.
She played in only one match her freshman year, recording three digs. By sophomore season, Miller found herself on the court more often. She played in 26 of 29 matches, racking up 100 digs, including a then-career high 10 in MSU’s season finale.
Miller has played in seven of MSU’s nine matches this year and already has tallied 89 digs, leading the team. Her most impressive outing was Friday against Georgia Tech, when she set a career-high with 20 digs. She followed with 31 digs in the next two matches, sparking two team victories.
“I feel on defense, my personality is the fiery, run around the court personality,” Miller said. “And I think they can feed off me.”
Erbe agreed the Miller goes above and beyond to benefit the team.
“It’s really, really critical that you have a player like that who provides energy, stability and consistency that other players can feed off of,” Erbe said. “Not only does she do her job, she does it with an emotional intensity.”
