TAVARES, Fla.— There are no days off for Emma Rome.
“During high school season there is conditioning over the summer. Whenever season starts we have practice then games then after high school season I start club season which is practice during the week and tournaments on the weekends,” said Emma Rome, a Senior Volleyball and Tennis player in Lake County.
As if all of that wasn’t enough.
“I am also doing tennis right now so I am balancing tennis practice then volleyball afterwards,” said Rome.
The Tavares high senior juggles two sports while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
“It’s not really hard to put those things as a priority whenever they are the things that you love and nothing else will get in the way of that,” said Rome.
A mature mindset that sets her apart from the rest.
“Every day is basically a choice and I feel that if you don’t choose to make decisions based on your future nobody else can do that for you,” said Rome.
The 6’2” outside hitter has always been focused on her future and that focus recently paid off when she signed to take her volleyball talents to Lake Sumpter State College.
“You’re relying on others, you’re trusting others and others are trusting you. The excitement of winning competition, the competitiveness, I love it all,” said Rome.
That excitement was put on hold this past season when Rome had to have an emergency surgery to remove her appendix. That sidelined the senior star and forced her to find a new perspective.
“She was very encouraging in the time that she couldn’t play and she was right there in the game when she wasn’t in the game. Always focused and always trying to help her teammates in anyway she could,” said April Smith, Tavares High School Head Volleyball Coach.
“Seeing how I could also encourage my teammates without playing on the court was also an awesome opportunity to have,” said Rome.
A situation that renewed Rome’s love for the game.
“Never stop trying. Never stop putting in all of your effort and do what you love the most,” said Rome.