Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Photo by: Tom Weber
Q&A with Saluki Volleyball’s Emma Baalman
09/07/2018 | 12:32:00 | Women's Volleyball
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University middle hitter Emma Baalman has taken on a larger role this season. Not only is she a team captain, but she has started all seven of SIU's matches and has already more than doubled her total kills from a year ago. The junior from Calhoun, Ill. came to Carbondale after an impressive prep career at Calhoun H.S. in which she was a three-sport athlete and won state titles in both basketball and softball.
You were elected as one of the captains this year - Is there pressure with that title?
There always comes pressure with leadership but we have a good group of girls. Its been fun, frustrating some times, but a lot of fun. They seem to follow really well, which is nice and makes things easy.
How would you describe your leadership style?
On the court I get pretty emotional, pretty excited. I like to lead more by example rather than forcing people to do things because no one follows that way.
You've handled a lot ever since you came in as a freshman - you've had a position change, a coaching change- how do you think you've adapted to being in the middle and not being on the outside?
I actually like the middle a lot. As a middle you have to be up and ready for anything. On the outside, you have to work with off-sets and out of system balls. Its really nice being in the middle and just "GO, GO, GO".
Is there different terminology or anything strategically that you had to adjust to being in the middle?
Blocking-wise, I really had a hard time adjusting to it because you have to go to both pins instead of just focusing on one hitter. I have really focused a lot on getting set and still and going because I have a tendency to hop around a lot.
You talked about the emotion and how you lead that way- where does that come from and have you always had a lot of emotion in your game?
I have always had a lot of emotion. You can ask people from back home, there like, "oh Emma's back." There's a picture of me from high school that I seriously look scary in. When I look at the picture, I think, "thats not a flattering picture" but of course my mom has it blown up real big.
The team poster- we've talked about that a little bit- was that somewhat scripted or was that just you?
I really just went up there and did it. Theres a picture from preseason that is definitely scary and I'm excited that that one wasn't on the poster. Got (a picture) where I actually have makeup on.
How are you feeling as you progress through your junior season attacking from the middle?
Just getting more and more use to being out there on the court is a big thing. Then having the setters know that I'm going to be up and I'm going to be able to put a ball down is a good way to start things off. I want to continue to get more balls my way, hitting-wise, because its very nice to have three options up at the net rather than two.
Do you think you're stronger right now on the attack or on the block?
I have my games, sometimes its this and sometimes its that, but I'd probably say blocking just because you do it every single time and I get more reps that way. Definitely Patience takes over in the attacking area so I'd like to build up to P's level with my attacking.
You have such a great background athletically at your high school in Calhoun- a three-sport star and won a couple of state titles. What was your best sport in high school in your opinion?
Everybody keeps telling me its basketball but I had basketball shoved down my throat since first grade so I was kinda done with it. So I decided to play some volleyball (in college). It's a great learning experience. Coming from a small school you never really had a lot of knowledge about the sport, so its nice to come here and learn more and more about it every day.
Volleyball was the only sport you didn't win a state title in in high school - why did you want to play volleyball in college?
Maybe I felt like I had something left to accomplish? I don't know, I just love the adrenaline after you get a kill.
In softball - you played some third base in high school and won two state titles. What was your favorite memory from some of those runs?
My cousin was the pitcher and she basically pitched every game. She pitched a 17-inning game in the semi finals of our state run and that is something I'll never forget. I literally don't see how her arm didn't fall off.
How tired were you after that 17-inning game?
It was hot that day, I can tell you that. But as you know I run on adrenaline so I was doing just fine.
Can you have the same type of intensity in softball that you have in volleyball?
I find the intensity wherever it is at, in everything really. Last year at one of the men's basketball games, they handed out free pizza to the loudest fan and of course, I got two free pizzas.
What kind of basketball player were you?
I just kinda drove the lane and put up a ball. I think I got more rebounds because I could never make my first shot. I always shot, missed, got my rebound and put it back in.
Were you a shot blocker?
Somewhat yeah. Definitely wasn't a three-point shooter.
You mentioned your cousin being a DI pitcher- was there any pressure from your family to pursue that collegiately?
No not really. They knew I wasn't that into softball. Grace and Maddy- they were just unbelievable athletes. So there was no pressure at all. They were just like, 'do whatever you want to do and have fun with it.'
Who's the best athlete of you and your cousins?
I would definitely say Grace. Freshman year playing in the Sweet 16 against Oregon, who was either No. 1 or No. 4 at the time, that's pretty amazing.
Are you still an exercise science major?
Yes, my goal is to become a physical therapist. I'd love to go to Washington University in St. Louis for grad school, but its a tough school so hopefully everything works out.
Is there a sport you want to work in physical therapy with or just everything overall?
Not really sure yet. Im doing some observation hours. I think it would be cool to work with kids but I definitely don't want to do in-patient at all. Definitely on the clinical side.
You were elected as one of the captains this year - Is there pressure with that title?
There always comes pressure with leadership but we have a good group of girls. Its been fun, frustrating some times, but a lot of fun. They seem to follow really well, which is nice and makes things easy.
How would you describe your leadership style?
On the court I get pretty emotional, pretty excited. I like to lead more by example rather than forcing people to do things because no one follows that way.
You've handled a lot ever since you came in as a freshman - you've had a position change, a coaching change- how do you think you've adapted to being in the middle and not being on the outside?
I actually like the middle a lot. As a middle you have to be up and ready for anything. On the outside, you have to work with off-sets and out of system balls. Its really nice being in the middle and just "GO, GO, GO".
Is there different terminology or anything strategically that you had to adjust to being in the middle?
Blocking-wise, I really had a hard time adjusting to it because you have to go to both pins instead of just focusing on one hitter. I have really focused a lot on getting set and still and going because I have a tendency to hop around a lot.
You talked about the emotion and how you lead that way- where does that come from and have you always had a lot of emotion in your game?
I have always had a lot of emotion. You can ask people from back home, there like, "oh Emma's back." There's a picture of me from high school that I seriously look scary in. When I look at the picture, I think, "thats not a flattering picture" but of course my mom has it blown up real big.
The team poster- we've talked about that a little bit- was that somewhat scripted or was that just you?
I really just went up there and did it. Theres a picture from preseason that is definitely scary and I'm excited that that one wasn't on the poster. Got (a picture) where I actually have makeup on.
How are you feeling as you progress through your junior season attacking from the middle?
Just getting more and more use to being out there on the court is a big thing. Then having the setters know that I'm going to be up and I'm going to be able to put a ball down is a good way to start things off. I want to continue to get more balls my way, hitting-wise, because its very nice to have three options up at the net rather than two.
Do you think you're stronger right now on the attack or on the block?
I have my games, sometimes its this and sometimes its that, but I'd probably say blocking just because you do it every single time and I get more reps that way. Definitely Patience takes over in the attacking area so I'd like to build up to P's level with my attacking.
You have such a great background athletically at your high school in Calhoun- a three-sport star and won a couple of state titles. What was your best sport in high school in your opinion?
Everybody keeps telling me its basketball but I had basketball shoved down my throat since first grade so I was kinda done with it. So I decided to play some volleyball (in college). It's a great learning experience. Coming from a small school you never really had a lot of knowledge about the sport, so its nice to come here and learn more and more about it every day.
Volleyball was the only sport you didn't win a state title in in high school - why did you want to play volleyball in college?
Maybe I felt like I had something left to accomplish? I don't know, I just love the adrenaline after you get a kill.
In softball - you played some third base in high school and won two state titles. What was your favorite memory from some of those runs?
My cousin was the pitcher and she basically pitched every game. She pitched a 17-inning game in the semi finals of our state run and that is something I'll never forget. I literally don't see how her arm didn't fall off.
How tired were you after that 17-inning game?
It was hot that day, I can tell you that. But as you know I run on adrenaline so I was doing just fine.
Can you have the same type of intensity in softball that you have in volleyball?
I find the intensity wherever it is at, in everything really. Last year at one of the men's basketball games, they handed out free pizza to the loudest fan and of course, I got two free pizzas.
What kind of basketball player were you?
I just kinda drove the lane and put up a ball. I think I got more rebounds because I could never make my first shot. I always shot, missed, got my rebound and put it back in.
Were you a shot blocker?
Somewhat yeah. Definitely wasn't a three-point shooter.
You mentioned your cousin being a DI pitcher- was there any pressure from your family to pursue that collegiately?
No not really. They knew I wasn't that into softball. Grace and Maddy- they were just unbelievable athletes. So there was no pressure at all. They were just like, 'do whatever you want to do and have fun with it.'
Who's the best athlete of you and your cousins?
I would definitely say Grace. Freshman year playing in the Sweet 16 against Oregon, who was either No. 1 or No. 4 at the time, that's pretty amazing.
Are you still an exercise science major?
Yes, my goal is to become a physical therapist. I'd love to go to Washington University in St. Louis for grad school, but its a tough school so hopefully everything works out.
Is there a sport you want to work in physical therapy with or just everything overall?
Not really sure yet. Im doing some observation hours. I think it would be cool to work with kids but I definitely don't want to do in-patient at all. Definitely on the clinical side.
Players Mentioned
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