Emma Patmore played volleyball at Trinity Lutheran for three years, and during her junior season she also played soccer.
This fall, she gave up volleyball to concentrate on soccer and is happy she made that decision.
“I enjoyed soccer a lot last year,” she said. “I liked volleyball, but I was getting tired of it.”
After previously having a coed team, Trinity had both boys and girls teams the past two seasons.
Having separate teams is another reason she decided to play soccer.
“It felt good to be part of the first girls soccer team (in 2015),” she said. “Hopefully it will bring more girls to Trinity because of soccer.”
On the pitch, Patmore was a defensive specialist.
“I played right wing,” Patmore said. “I just tried to get the ball from the other team. I played that spot last year, too, so I was used to it.”
The senior enjoyed the physical part of soccer and marking up people.
“When I play defense I mark up on the offensive players,” she said. “I try not to let the ball pass the back line of defense. I do, in fact, enjoy the physical part of soccer. I like how everyone is physical. It makes the games more exciting.”
Patmore said it takes teamwork and communication to be successful.
“I feel having 11 players on the field is a great thing,” she said. “The offense and defense work separately, but yet we still work together as a team.
“Communication is very important. If no one is talking on the field, then no one has the motivation to play. When we talk on the field it is helpful because we can tell each other if someone is coming up on the ball.”
This past season, Patmore was named one of the team’s captains.
“I enjoyed being named captain this season,” she siad. “I felt important to lead my team. The four captains led stretches and a few passing drills to get warmed up.”
She said having a positive attitude on the athletics field is important.
“The mental part is very important in sports,” Patmore said. “Once you get down on yourself you won’t play your best during the rest of the game. If you make a mistake you just need to shake it off and keep going.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Emma Patmore
High school: Trinity Lutheran
Parents: Mike and Jennifer Patmore
Sibling: Christopher
Sports: Volleyball, three years; soccer, two years
Athletic honors: All-Academic team
Organizations: National Honor Society, Student ambassadors, dance committee
Plans after high school: Attend IUPUI for nursing
Favorite food: Spaghetti
Favorite TV shows: “One Tree Hill,” “Stranger Things”
Favorite musician: Luke Bryan
Favorite movie: “Benchwarmers”
Favorite teams: Chicago Cubs, Indiana University
[sc:pullout-text-end]