Emry Brown is a sophomore at Bartlesville high school and is an outside hitter for the Lady Bruins’ volleyball team. Brown first started playing volleyball in elementary school and has been passionate about the sport ever since.

“I started playing when I was in the fifth grade,” Brown said. “One of the aspects of volleyball that I love is the teamwork; everybody has to pour into each other to make the team better.”

For Brown, hard work pays off, and she’s been enjoying the fall season with her teammates and coaches. Brown appreciates the efforts that her teammates demonstrate on and off the court and as an underclassmen often looks to the team veterans for support.

“To me, what makes someone a leader is if they push themselves and everyone around to their greatest potential,” Brown said. “A leader should have the drive to bring the people around them up, as well as themselves.”

Brown hopes that she and the Bruins can continue to come together and continue to compete as a team. She has a few goals for this season.

“A goal I’ve been aiming for this season has been achieving a winning record to prove to ourselves that what we’ve been working for is paying off,” Brown said.

One team Brown is looking forward to competing against is Owasso.

“I’ve really been looking forward to playing Owasso this year,” Brown said. “They have a pretty dominant team and I am wanting to put up a good fight!”

Brown appreciates the effort and dedication her coaches have put into the Lady Bruins season this year.

“My coaches have had a huge impact on me,” Brown said. “Both coach Ward and my coaches from my club season, Andy Poplin and Kari Anderson. They have all pushed me to become the best version of myself and they have helped me become a better person on and off the court. They have never given up on me and always made sure I knew that they believed in me more than I believed in myself.”

After high school Brown said she would like to further her education in college and hopefully continue her volleyball career by playing at the next level.

Photograph courtesy of Melissa Craig at Craig’s Photography