“It’s mental. If you’re not doing too well in the beginning of the season, but you start doing well, you’re just more positive and you want to hit more,” Martin said. “It gives you more confidence.

“I’ve been hitting a lot harder and I’m controlling my hits better.”

The sophomore got off to a slow start, only averaging 2.0 kills/set although the Hornets did manage to go 6-1 in that same stretch. But things changed in the Clinton Central match on Sept. 6. Although the Hornets lost in five games it had nothing to do with Martin, who tallied 18 kills in the matchup while Cooper led with 21.

Since then, Martin has been a force and another weapon opponents have to stop.

“I was more timid (this year) because I was timid last year when I was a freshman,” Martin said. “From then on, I’ve been doing a lot better hitting-wise and more confident in myself and sitting the ball down.”

While playing the number two role in kills, Martin also plays a vital role in other areas. She’s the leader in digs (258, 2.7/set) and is third in blocks (87 total) and fourth in aces (40).

Martin had a season high of 21 kills in a five-set loss to Lafayette Central Catholic.

“In the last half of the season, she has just blossomed,” said Rossville head coach Jenny Knapp. “She’s been hitting harder and more accurately. Emily has taken on a new role in the last half of the season, and she knows it. She plays strong and is very competitive.”

Martin reached double-digit kill totals in 10 of the 31 matches this year, including the final four contests. Martin had six double-doubles (kills-digs) this season: 11-10 versus Frankfort, 16-16 against Harrison, 11-10 against Benton Central, 21-11 against LCC, 14-22 against Tipton and 13-14 against West Lafayette. Five of those came in the final 13 matches of the year.

“She may just be a sophomore but she’s way beyond just a sophomore mentally,” Cooper said. “She stays up there with the rest of us seniors. She’s an extremely powerful hitter. It’s been crazy how much she’s given us with her power.”

Martin easily eclipsed her numbers last year, nearly doubling her kills total (1.5/set) while also surpassing her dig and block totals.

Martin has also seen her total attacks increase as she’s had 20 or more kill attempts in seven of the last 13 matches. That increase is one part due to teams converging on Cooper and one part the setters – Kacie McGill and Michaela Miller – having more confidence in her.

“They set ‘B’ up more because she’s our main player,” Martin said. “When defenses are a lot tougher on her hits, then they’ll set me a lot more. That’s when I need to step up and get the kills I need.”

With another two years to play, Martin will continue to progress as a player.

“She’s only a sophomore, although last year she never truly played like a freshman,” Knapp said. “Part of it, too, is maybe she felt a little less intense because so much of our sets went to Brinsley. When she came on, we started setting her more. And the more she hits, the better and better she gets.”

PHIL FRIEND/pfriend@ftimes.com

Martin having good sophomore season

Rossville sophomore Emily Martin is second on the team in kills with 274 (2.9/set) and leads the team in digs with 258 (2.7/game).

PHIL FRIEND/pfriend@ftimes.com

Sophomore second in team kills

Rossville sophomore Emily Martin is second on the team in kills with 274 (2.9/set) and leads the team in digs with 258 (2.7/game).