This has been a season of change for Mundelein senior Norah Emso.
The Mustangs have a new coach, Jeff Blezien, and Emso has new roles in her third varsity season.
“The last two years, I’ve been setting only, but this year I transitioned to setting and hitting,” she said. “It was an adjustment, but I think I adapted well, and the whole team helped. We have a lot of players who are playing positions they don’t normally play.”
Blezien said Emso, who is also a captain this season, is constantly honing her skills.
“We asked Norah to be more consistent on her set and serve,” Blezien said. “We wanted her to make sure her hitters are in a good position. Throughout the year, she set up her hitters and kept everyone positive, so she has continued to grow and pushed everyone else to grow.”
The 5-foot-9 Emso’s versatility was on full display during the Class 4A Warren Regional championship match on Thursday. She recorded seven kills, including the clincher, and nine assists as third-seeded Mundelein upended the second-seeded host Blue Devils 25-23, 25-18.
The Mustangs (24-13) avenged their North Suburban Conference loss to Warren (21-16) and, in another change, won their first regional title in 15 years. They will play top-seeded Huntley (29-8) in the McHenry Sectional semifinals at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Senior outside hitter Allison Kampa had 10 kills for Mundelein, junior setter Bella Snow had 12 assists and senior libero Sarah Choi had 14 digs.
“It’s amazing because the last two years we haven’t gotten past the first round of regionals, so to win a regional championship feels great,” Emso said. “The key for us today was all of us working so well together, and we brought so much energy, which was great.”
Emso has 258 assists, 179 kills, 142 digs, 30 aces and 21 blocks this season, but her influence goes beyond any numbers.
“Norah can do everything on the court — serving, setting, hitting and playing defense — but her leadership is the main thing,” Blezien said. “On the court, she’s been the leader from the beginning to now. She has held the team together and pumped them up the entire way. She had a huge game today and is just very consistent.”
Kampa said Emso, who had 500 assists and 229 digs as a setter last season, is a great leader.
“She’s an amazing captain and is always there to support the team whether we are low or high and gives feedback to everyone,” Kampa said. “Every time I’ve been in a slump, she’s been there to bring me back up.
“She’s the most motivating and encouraging person I’ve been around. She’s an amazing and positive light.”
Snow agreed that the Mustangs can rely on Emso.
“She’s such a leader on the court and the person everyone looks to when we are down,” Snow said. “She always helps when someone is having a problem, and we can look to her to change it.”
Emso said her older sister Nadia introduced her to water polo two years ago and that her experience in that sport made it easier for her to be a vocal leader for the Mustangs.
“Water polo helped me with my communication,” Emso said. “You have to talk and be loud, especially when water is splashing all around you.”
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Mundelein is making a splash this season, and Emso has a lot to do with that.
“My sophomore and junior years, I had some other seniors help me,” she said. “But I knew I had to step up this year. It was a new challenge.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.