Emily Corcoran said it took hard work in several areas for the Seymour High School volleyball team to have a winning record this fall.
“Communication is definitely the key in volleyball,” she said. “For example, against New Albany in the sectional we had no communication and that is probably why we didn’t do very well, but whenever we were having a good night, we were having lots of communication and we knew what we’re doing.
“Everybody is involved and we can help each other out by talking to each other.”
Corcoran felt another key to Seymour having a winning season was serving.
“One of our main focuses this season was serving,” she said. “We definitely tried to serve aggressively to teams. Our offense was a little shaky at the beginning so our serving was definitely important.
“Another big thing was attitude. If you don’t think you can do it, you’re probably not going to be able to do it. That’s with serving, passing, hitting, whatever. If you think you can do it, then you’re going to be able to do it, but if you don’t have the confidence then you’re not going to be able to do it.”
Corcoran, who began playing volleyball in fifth, got involved in athletics at an early age.
“I went to Immanuel and usually every person played a sport,” Corcoran said. “And my mom was the coach for the fifth-grade team so I tried out and I’ve enjoyed it ever since then.
She played junior varsity and also dressed varsity her freshman year at SHS.
She played back row on varsity her junior and senior seasons, and did a lot of passing.
“I usually played middle or left side,” Corcoran said. “Usually, if the setter takes the first ball then left back is supposed to take the second ball to the hitter, and I usually knew what I was doing with that.”
She played club ball with two different Seymour teams and said that was a good experience.
Corcoran said she tried to provide leadership to the younger players.
Angie Lucas coached the Owls this season and Corcoran said, “There was a huge adjustment. The whole culture was different. Everything, the practices, the games. Our practices were very hard this year. Every day we were all sweating. The gym was hot, we were putting in work.”
She enjoyed playing at home.
“I loved the home matches,” Corcoran said. “The fans, the cheer block, throwing out shirts, it’s all fun.”
Corcoran said she enjoyed being a student at SHS and being part of the volleyball team.
“I think there are more opportunities at Seymour,” she said. “Playing bigger schools is definitely an advantage to us. I enjoyed meeting new people.
“I love all the girls on the team and I love the teamwork and having fun with all the girls.
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Name: Emily Corcoran
High school: Seymour
Parent: Mike and Gretchen Corcoran
Siblings: Justin, Nathan
Sports; volleyball 4 years, basketball 1 year
Athletic highlights: volleyball-HHC all-conference second team, most digs, most valuable player; basketball-HHC champs
Organizations: D.A.R.E. role model, Schneck Hospital volunteer, dance marathon, church youth group
Plans after high school: study psychology
Favorite food: watermelon
Favorite TV show: Gossip Girl
Favorite musicians: Logic
Favorite movie: The Last Song
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