A New Role For Emma Blair

Ryley Quinn, Co Editor-in-Chief|January 13, 2023

Emma Blair, a senior at Greater Latrobe Senior High School, is well known for being a talented multi-sport athlete. A three year varsity middle hitter for the school’s volleyball team, captain and four year varsity forward and center for the basketball team and University of South Carolina Upstate basketball commit, and a starting varsity catcher for the softball team. 

Blair was coming off of a remarkable volleyball season, where she made first team all section as well as second team all WPIAL. Her team was undefeated for the first time in sports history for a girls team at Greater Latrobe, and the team became 2022 section champions. It was safe to say there was excitement to see what Blair would do this upcoming basketball season. A natural leader on the court, Emma was the calmness on the court and a leader everyone looked to.

Her world seemed to change though after she suffered an injury during a team tournament in Virginia. Blair tore her ACL while playing causing her to have to undergo surgery, and therefore ending her senior season of sports. Although Blair is known as an athlete she is now showing more than ever her character and the type of teammate she is. 

During this frustrating time it can be hard to remain positive. The thing she loves has now been taken from her, and her high school sports career is over. For most people they may take it out on others or simply stop caring about the team and sport, but for Emma this is not the case.

“Before her surgery, Emma was still coming to practices, only ever missing for therapy. She would watch, help the girls who are struggling with something, and always was present. She stepped up as an “extra” coach, even sitting with the coaches during games, and the girls love it. They would come out of the game or during practice and she would help them and encourage them. She always led by example, and now that she can’t she is stepping up as a different role on the court,” said coach Emily Vasilko about how Emma Blair has been leading this team from her new position. 

Emma continued to show her leadership skills even throughout adversity when dealing with her injury. With a lot on her plate, it could have been easy to give up and not fulfill her leadership role but that wasn’t an option for Emma. “I try to continue to lead the team just by being another set of eyes on the sidelines. It can be easier to catch things that happen on the court when you are solely watching. I still always give my pep talks to everyone and make sure the team is united even without me playing,”  said Emma. Blair continues to have a positive attitude in wanting to be a part of her team that has been her family the past four years.

One can only imagine how it feels for the excitement of your senior season to be taken away from you. Coach Vasilko reflected on how Emma has handled the cards that were dealt to her. “Putting myself in Emma’s shoes I would have been distraught missing my senior season, but she showed up for her team and was positive with them, laughing and helping coach them. Even for being 18 she handled it extremely maturely, she’s always been mature, but being thrown this curveball she could have shut down but she held it together and showed her best side,” said Vasilko.

She continues to exude her positive attitude. Emma says, “I think of the good things that come out of this and I try not to dwell on all of the things I am going to miss out on for my senior year. I realized that through this I can really focus on becoming a great leader and someone my teammates can come to with any problems they are having on or off the court. I can encourage my teammates when they are struggling or I can be their biggest supporter when they do something good. I also make sure I remember that I am still a part of this team and have an impact even if I’m not physically on the court.” 

Her team can be seen as a motivation to keep going but is also one of the hardest parts to deal with, not playing with her team who is family. “I will definitely miss going out on our home court and competing with some of my best friends the most. Nothing can compare to going out and playing the sport you love with the people you love in front of your hometown,” reflected Emma. 

Although she is no longer able to play as she finishes her high school career, she continues to be a leader and motivate her team. The advice she has to her teammates throughout this is “to stay strong and united all together. When everyone plays together and for the team, then they can accomplish anything they all set their minds to.” 

Emma Blair is a name that will always be remembered at Greater Latrobe for her athletics, and now she will also be remembered as a leader and a role model especially as she faces adversity.