Emily Page, junior captain and starting setter for the Coronado High School volleyball team, said her love of the game started at home.
She said Tim Page, her dad and former high school and college volleyball player, instilled his passion for volleyball into her and her sister at a young age.
Emily Page fondly remembers the days she would tag along to her older sister Taylor’s volleyball tournaments, play pepper in the yard with her dad and sister, and practice with them on the beach.
It tied us all together and it’s something I feel like we can really appreciate for bringing us all closer.”
-Coronado High School setter Emily Page on her family’s connection to volleyball.
“There’s something about my dad playing the sport, me playing the sport, my sister and my mom,” Page said. “It tied us all together and it’s something I feel like we can really appreciate for bringing us all closer.”
Page is ranked no. 11 in the women’s volleyball San Diego Section among assist leaders, totaling 365 assists through the Islander’s Mission Bay tournament on Sept. 15.
The team currently runs a 5-1 offense primarily, with Page in the setter position, but there are times when they implement a 6-2 offense with Lydia Schutt, according to Coach Adeile Ahmu.
Coached by her dad
Page started playing club volleyball in fourth grade and knew she wanted to be a setter from the get go, something that her dad strongly encouraged her to do as a setter himself.
In fact, Page’s dad was her club volleyball coach in sixth and seventh grade.
“I personally loved it,” Page said. “I always knew he was going to be there for me whether I was on the court or off the court.”
Hunger to win
On the court, Page’s love for the game spills into her play, according to Ahmu, who added Page consistently brings a competitive presence to the matches with a hunger to win.
I have definitely been able to see Emily fall in love with this sport and pour into her skill and craft over these last few years.”
-Coronado volleyball Coach Adeile Ahmu.
“I have definitely been able to see Emily fall in love with this sport and pour into her skill and craft over these last few years,” Ahmu said. “Emily has definitely become a well-rounded volleyball player and it has been a pleasure to be able to watch her grow, coach her and also be a mentor in life for her.”
As a setter and a captain whose hand is in nearly every single play, Page’s leadership is essential.
“I really love being a setter,” Page said. “I love being able to be in every single play and directing things. It’s made me become a really good leader and it’s helped shape not only my life in volleyball, but outside.”
This season, the team has been focusing especially on the mental aspect of the game, so they write journal entries on mental health at every practice. The entries, paired with team bonding, is creating a strong web of support among the team, said Page.
Current standing
The Islanders (13-11) had two tough losses against Patrick Henry High School on Sept. 19 and Otay Ranch High School on Sept. 21.
Despite the setbacks, Page said she appreciates the team’s determination.
We have fought in every singe game.”
-Emily Page.
“There is so much fight, there’s… many comebacks and we don’t give up this year, which is something that I really appreciate with these girls,” Page said. “We have fought in every single game.”
