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CHALMERS - Disbelief fell over Indiana freshman defensive specialist Emma Segal.
The thought she'd be back playing in the very school that made her a highly recruited, small school phenom in Chalmers hadn't hit her until the quiet stillness crept across the gym before Indiana faced Illinois State in a scrimmage at Frontier High School on Saturday.
"Until I woke up this morning I was thinking this isn't happening, this is not real," Segal said. "This is crazy and this is also an amazing opportunity for anyone to be able to do it."
Emotions of the day seemed to overtake Segal's mom Becky who coached her daughter for all four years at Frontier.
More: Frontier's Emma Segal commits to Indiana University volleyball
Segal holds the Frontier records for kills at 1,908 and aces at 282 and was born in Brookston.
"I wouldn't have ever imagined this happening," Becky Segal said. "We're a smaller community and just to think that your kid played her final game in this gym and to know she gets to come back one last time. It's just surreal and it's a moment for all of us to cherish."
It was Becky who gave Emma her first volleyball at five years old. By the time Segal reached the age of six, she knew she wanted to become a college volleyball player.
She was hooked on the sport and would pepper the ball daily either with Becky and father Tim, brother Timmy and eventually younger sister Kendall. Segal started playing club volleyball at eight years old and spent her AAU career with Boiler Juniors.
"It's a full circle moment," Becky Segal said. "To see that full circle with all the hard work she put in for a dream and bring that back to her community that she gave so much to is amazing."
Among those who remember seeing Segal play during her early career was current Frontier head coach Emma Pruitt.
More: Journal & Courier Small School Volleyball Player of the Year: Frontier's Emma Segal
Pruitt graduated Frontier in 2016 but recalled being mesmerized at how the future Hoosier could control and pass the ball at an advanced level at a young age. Segal was peppering the ball inside the living room home of Emily Bell, a future Frontier setter who graduated with Segal in 2024.
"I remember seeing them and recalling how they were going to be very good volleyball players someday," Pruitt said.
Segal was surrounded by family and friends once again while also integrating herself into the rapid speed, pace and precision of Indiana's rotation. Her control and first steps off the ball were balanced and eventually helped Indiana win the first three sets of the four set exhibition.
Indiana coach Steve Aird complimented Segal for her play postgame. Segal was coming off surgery to her right wrist.
"She's a throw back," Aird said. "She's a hardworking kid, she comes early, she stays late and she cares deeply. She understands the level we play at is extraordinarily high and she's got a long way to go but she's a hardworking kid. A really, really sweet kid and we are lucky to have her."
More: Here's your Lafayette Journal & Courier Small School all-area volleyball team
Segal offered advice for athletes who were once in her position, growing up in a small town like Chalmers and Brookston which combined carry a population just over 2,000 residents.
"Never give up and be outgoing," Segal said. "If you're going from a small environment to a big environment, just think about it the same. Be nice to everyone, and sports-wise, if you're coming from a small town, don't let anything hold you back."
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Indiana volleyball plays Illinois State at Frontier led by Emma Segal
Continue reading...
The thought she'd be back playing in the very school that made her a highly recruited, small school phenom in Chalmers hadn't hit her until the quiet stillness crept across the gym before Indiana faced Illinois State in a scrimmage at Frontier High School on Saturday.
"Until I woke up this morning I was thinking this isn't happening, this is not real," Segal said. "This is crazy and this is also an amazing opportunity for anyone to be able to do it."
Emotions of the day seemed to overtake Segal's mom Becky who coached her daughter for all four years at Frontier.
More: Frontier's Emma Segal commits to Indiana University volleyball
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Segal holds the Frontier records for kills at 1,908 and aces at 282 and was born in Brookston.
"I wouldn't have ever imagined this happening," Becky Segal said. "We're a smaller community and just to think that your kid played her final game in this gym and to know she gets to come back one last time. It's just surreal and it's a moment for all of us to cherish."
It was Becky who gave Emma her first volleyball at five years old. By the time Segal reached the age of six, she knew she wanted to become a college volleyball player.
She was hooked on the sport and would pepper the ball daily either with Becky and father Tim, brother Timmy and eventually younger sister Kendall. Segal started playing club volleyball at eight years old and spent her AAU career with Boiler Juniors.
"It's a full circle moment," Becky Segal said. "To see that full circle with all the hard work she put in for a dream and bring that back to her community that she gave so much to is amazing."
Among those who remember seeing Segal play during her early career was current Frontier head coach Emma Pruitt.
More: Journal & Courier Small School Volleyball Player of the Year: Frontier's Emma Segal
Pruitt graduated Frontier in 2016 but recalled being mesmerized at how the future Hoosier could control and pass the ball at an advanced level at a young age. Segal was peppering the ball inside the living room home of Emily Bell, a future Frontier setter who graduated with Segal in 2024.
"I remember seeing them and recalling how they were going to be very good volleyball players someday," Pruitt said.
You must be registered for see images attach
Segal was surrounded by family and friends once again while also integrating herself into the rapid speed, pace and precision of Indiana's rotation. Her control and first steps off the ball were balanced and eventually helped Indiana win the first three sets of the four set exhibition.
Indiana coach Steve Aird complimented Segal for her play postgame. Segal was coming off surgery to her right wrist.
"She's a throw back," Aird said. "She's a hardworking kid, she comes early, she stays late and she cares deeply. She understands the level we play at is extraordinarily high and she's got a long way to go but she's a hardworking kid. A really, really sweet kid and we are lucky to have her."
More: Here's your Lafayette Journal & Courier Small School all-area volleyball team
Segal offered advice for athletes who were once in her position, growing up in a small town like Chalmers and Brookston which combined carry a population just over 2,000 residents.
"Never give up and be outgoing," Segal said. "If you're going from a small environment to a big environment, just think about it the same. Be nice to everyone, and sports-wise, if you're coming from a small town, don't let anything hold you back."
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Indiana volleyball plays Illinois State at Frontier led by Emma Segal
Continue reading...
