Don HorkeyDaughter Emma and her volleyball teammates were in the midst of state tournament competition, anticipating returning to the Class B finals to defend their 2013 state championship.
‘Twas not to be, however. The Fighting Irish’s quest was short-circuited in the semifinals by eventual champ North Branch.
Emma’s selection to the all-state team recognized her cat-like reflexes in the role of the “libero,” a roaming defender doing whatever it takes to keep the ball in play. She was credited with more than 600 such “digs,” as they are called in volleyball parlance, for the second year in a row.
Her father, Scott, was about six weeks away from surgery to replace his left hip, just one of several physical mementoes of a rugged football career that began at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, onward to Notre Dame, and finally, in the NFL, two years with the Philadelphia Eagles and eight with the Detroit Lions, retiring in 2001.
Well, I figure it’s time for an update.
In her senior year, Emma has stepped up her game, exhibiting even more zest and energy. At the same time, there’s an aura about her of quiet confidence, of leadership.
No one appreciates these qualities more than Coach Betty Wroubel. “She’s the glue that keeps our team together. I think she could be a candidate for Miss Volleyball,” an honor accorded to Katherine Carlson last year.
In the squad’s first 20 games (the Irish are 15-3-2), Emma has been a force on both sides of the net. She leads the offense with 123 points and the defense with 220 digs, putting her well on pace for a third 600-plus season.
Although there are nine seniors listed on the roster, Wroubel maintains “really we’re a young team.” Two sophomores and three freshmen round out the squad.
Wroubel’s eyes literally sparkle when she mentions the freshmen: 6-foot-2 Madeline Chinn, Natalie Risi and Morgan Veheyen, who have combined for 278 kills. Chinn leads the team with 126.
Emma, who’s 17, has played volleyball nearly year-round since she was 12, when “my mother forced me to try out to meet people and make friends.” From December to June, she plays for the Legacy club based in Rochester Hills. The out-of-state travel is a grind, but it provided an opportunity for college coaches to see Emma’s considerable talents.
The payoff: Emma, courted by several colleges, has committed to Western Kentucky, “a perfect academic and athletic match,” she says.
Her mother, Michelle, has mixed emotions about Emma’s choice.
“I’m happy for her. It’s eight hours away. I know she can handle being away from home, but I’ll miss her. I love having her around. We have so much fun together.”
Being around Scott and watching his go-for-broke style on the gridiron usually left Michelle “a nervous wreck.”
“Football is not for the faint of heart,” he told me last fall. “If you don’t play at full speed, you run the risk of getting injured. I was knocked out cold three times in my career. But no regrets. I loved every minute of it.”
Scott’s had both knees scoped and a shoulder repaired. After the 90-minute hip surgery in December, he says, “I feel reborn.” He’s still bothered by constant pain in his neck, hands and wrists.
Scott revealed this summer’s annual Kolo Charities golf outing, founded by his father, Bob, who played for the Lions and Packers over 12 seasons, was the last one. “After 35 years, it’s time to do something different.”
The outing raised $1.2 million since 1991 for Leader Dogs for the Blind and Pontiac Haven as well as other charities in this corner of Michigan.
Oh, there’s one member of the Kowalkowski household I haven’t met: 12-year-old Olivia, who, of course, is into volleyball. Perhaps, one day an update on her.
Don Horkey may be reached at [email protected].
