When Emily Porter first walked into Grayslake North, she didn’t know how she stacked up against players in the girls volleyball program.
Porter said she also had “basically no friends” after attending a different middle school than the majority of students. So her first thought was to play on the freshman team to make friends in her age group.
But Grayslake North coach Jim Sarver had other ideas.
Sarver pushed Porter to accept the challenge of playing for the varsity team.
“I was so excited because I was the only freshman pulled up,” Porter said. “When I was driving home, I was thrilled to have made the team. But then later that day, I started having second thoughts. I told coach Sarver I thought I wanted to play with the freshmen.”
Sarver said he immediately saw Porter’s potential during tryouts and tried to convince her to move up.
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“I remember showing her the freshman team and the varsity team scrimmage,” he said. “I asked, ‘OK, which one do you think you will fit in better with your skill level?'”
Porter was sold.
“Coach convinced me that I needed to play with varsity,” she said. “That was the best thing that he could have done for me.”
The proof is in the numbers. Porter, a senior outside hitter and fourth-year starter, ranks fifth in program history in career kills. She has 54 kills, 20 blocks, 50 digs and 17 aces in eight matches this season.
“She was confident back then, and it has only grown,” Sarver said.
Joining the varsity team was the last of a series of decisions that led Porter to this point. Before her freshman year, she gave up softball and basketball — two sports she had played for eight years.
Juggling multiple sports “was exhausting and didn’t make me happy anymore,” Porter said.
“I have improved my skills so much and have been so much happier,” she said.
After Grayslake North (3-5) lost nine players to graduation earlier this year, Sarver said Porter was ready to lead her teammates. She helped organize the Knights’ itinerary for a one-day hotel stay for the Crimson Classic, which was hosted by Plainfield North last week.
Porter also is a member of numerous clubs, including the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Link Crew, Environmental Club and Student Council.
“I’ve watched so many upperclassmen lead the team differently, and I got to see what worked and what didn’t,” Porter said. “Strong leadership was so important, on and off the court, because someone has to take control of communication.
“Even though it’s only the beginning of our season, we’re off to a great start, and I’m really enjoying stepping up to be a leader on this team. I’m following the example of upperclassmen before me and working hard to ensure that we reach our full potential this season.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.