Know Your Bulldogs: Emily Hill

Throughout the 2016 season, HailState.com will be featuring stories on all 14 volleyball Bulldogs, giving you an inside look at who they really are. Our second edition, which appeared in the Mississippi State vs. Auburn football gameday program, features freshman Emily Hill of Denton, Texas.

By: Gabby Wilson, Mississippi State Media Relations

"Self-toss attack. Go deep, cross court, to start off."

Coach David McFatrich emphasized this to his hitters as they warmed up for a Wednesday afternoon practice. What does Emily Hill do? She puts an aggressive attack in the exact location as told.

Her movement on the court and consistency is what makes this athlete so successful. That and a love for the game she began playing at just 10-years old.

"I immediately fell in love with the game and knew I wanted to play in college after just one year," Hill said.

The Texas native played her high school career at John H. Guyer and club career at the prestigious Texas Advantage Volleyball Club (TAV) as one of top 50 players in the nation and the 12th-best in the state of Texas. As a four-year varsity player, Hill soon became one of the most decorated players in Wildcat history. Emily was a part of the number one club volleyball program in Texas, Texas Advantage Volleyball Club. The opportunities club volleyball gives players is endless. The level of play is elite and the exposure to college coaches is at every tournament.

"Club volleyball gave me the opportunity to really grow as a player and have a chance to play at a higher level. Getting to play other great athletes was a great experience and I get to continue to play against some of my former teammates."

Fast forward to present day and Hill is already making a huge impact for the Bulldogs, standing second on the squad in kills and points.

As a volleyball player, being able to anticipate what might happen next is an important skill to have. For Hill, she prides herself on her knowledge of the game and being able to be one step ahead of her opponents.

Just ask McFatrich and he'll tell you that Hill's volleyball IQ is one the best the Mississippi State program has ever seen.

"She is able to see a play come together before it actually happens, whether on the attack or the block," McFatrich said. "She's only a freshman, but Emily is wise beyond her years in the game of volleyball. You add in her work ethic, which is second to none, and it's easy to tell she is going to be one of the greatest to play at Mississippi State."

Growing up on a number of teams throughout her years of playing, she has had to learn to adjust to her different teammates, coaches and levels of competition. In her first year as a Bulldog, it's easy to tell that Hill enjoys McFatrich's positive coaching style, which has created a solid team atmosphere in Starkville.

Being such a team sport that volleyball is, it takes all six players on the court doing their job to be successful as a team. For Hill, that's an easy task to accomplish with this set of Bulldogs.

"I love this team," Hill said. "We all click really well together."

It's easy to see how the team's superb chemistry has led to a successful start to the 2016 season. It's even easier to see how crucial Hill has been to that Bulldog success. Regardless, there's no doubt that in the years to come, Emily Hill will become a major cornerstone to the success of Bulldog volleyball.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Know Your Bulldogs: Emily Hill

Players Mentioned

Emily Hill

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