Emma LenoirEast Hamilton’s Emma Lenoir has signed a scholarship offer to continue her volleyball career at NCAA Division II Christian Brothers University in Memphis.
“I went up there last summer for a camp,” Lenoir said. “I got along with all the players. I just liked the campus and everything. Of the schools I visited, I liked it best of all of them.”
Lenoir is a four-time selection on the Times Free Press Best of Preps volleyball team, and three times she was chosen all-state. She led her team with 564 kills last season and also contributed 323 digs and 73 aces.
She played some on the high school varsity as an eighth-grader for the Lady Hurricanes and, counting middle school, played six years in the program. All of them were under the coaching of her mother, Kristy.
Lenoir is playing club volleyball for K2 in Knoxville and will continue playing into the summer.
“Since I was little I’ve always loved the game,” Lenoir said. “I’ve played other sports, but volleyball has always been my favorite. I’m just glad I have an opportunity to actually get to play in college.”
Lenoir’s father, Patrick, played high school football at Germantown before going on to play for Tennessee. Kristy Lenoir is from Arkansas and both have family in Memphis.
Kristy was the only volleyball coach East Hamilton had, but she recently resigned her position. The Lenoirs’ son, Bailey, is a member of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team.
“I want to be able to see what my kids are doing and support them,” Kristy Lenoir said. “It’s a good time to step back from coaching and follow them around.”
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/KelleySmiddie.