There wasn’t any place Emilee Pollmann would rather be after school in the fall and winter than in the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium preparing for her next volleyball match or basketball game.
She played both sports since middle school and throughout her years at Seymour.
In volleyball, Pollmann became a starter part way through her sophomore year and started throughout the past two seasons.
She was an outside hitter and blocker, and this season played on the left side most of the time.
Pollmann said it takes teamwork to be successful in volleyball.
“The set to the left is a lot quicker than the outside one,” she said. “When you’re on the left side you also have to focus a lot on blocking because that becomes the power hitter. That is what I noticed.
“You definitely have to see everything that is going on. That is when your teammates come in handy because they tell you what’s open, and what’s not because a lot of times the passers can see that better than I can.”
Pollmann said the back-row hitters would tell her where the blockers were so she would know whether to hit it down line, into the middle or tip over double-blockers.
On the basketball court, Pollmann suffered a knee injury in preseason basketball practice, had surgery and saw her first playing time of the season Jan. 15 at Jennings County.
Pollmann, who started varsity throughout her sophomore and junior years, said she had to work hard to get in playing condition.
“It (meant) a lot to get to play,” she said. “I was really nervous when it first happened that I wasn’t going to back out here. It makes it that much more special to be able to come back.
“I enjoy everything about basketball. I like how even if someone is not playing good, you can help your teammates. Even if I’m missing a lot of shots, I can help the team by making the extra pass. If I’m not doing well on offense I can pick it up on defense.”
Pollmann said she believes playing a tough schedule throughout the regular season prepared the Owls for the volleyball and basketball sectionals.
Her career-high basketball games were 29 against Austin her junior year, 21 against Borden as a sophomore, and she had 20-point games against New Albany and Columbus East.
Pollmann said teamwork is a key in both sports.
“Teamwork is definitely a big part of both sports that I play,” she said. “Both of the teams have been like family to me. I think that helps a lot because we know we can push each-other without being mean or getting hurt by it, and I think that’s really what helps make each-other better.”
She said you always have to have a positive outlook in any sport that you play.
“It’s definitely important,” Pollmann said. “Obviously, you’re going to get tired, and that’s you’ve got to know that all your practices and everything has led up to this moment, and you’ve really got to just trust yourself and know everything is going to work out like it should.”
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Parents: Janet and Leonard Pollmann
Sibling: Mitchell
Sports: basketball 4 years, volleyball 4 years
Athletic highlights: basketball going unbeaten at home (9-0) this season, winning Hoosier Hills Conference
Organizations: National Honor Society, student government, Latin Club, student athletic board
Plans after high school: attend college, study sports medicine
Favorite food: Crab Rangoon
Favorite TV show: “The Bachelor”
Favorite musician: Taylor Swift
Favorite movie: Clueless
Favorite team: Indianapolis Colts
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Q: What was it like playing in the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium?
A: “I love this gym a lot. Being in there for both sports means a lot. It’s a great environment to be in. We had so much fan support in both. It’s nice to know the community is behind you.”
Q: Do you have a favorite aay gym?
A: I really liked Bloomington North’s gym. The floor was really cool.”
Q: What has it been like attending SHS?
A: “I’ve enjoyed it here. Everybody is so nice and everyone is so different too. There’s not really any big clicks. I’ve gotten to know different people and I think that’s really exciting and I’m hoping to keep those connections throughout my life.
“I’ve enjoyed everything. The ups and down have been really great.”
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