Lodi's Emily McConahey is 5-8 but plays above the net

Emily McConahey is known for her defense. She's being recruited by the University of Nevada at Reno volleyball team as a libero.

The Lodi High senior has played mostly in the back row in her nine-year volleyball career, but goes up front when it is needed. That's been the case this year as she's helped the Flames to a San Joaquin Athletic Association co-championship with Lincoln and a postseason berth.

McConahey, a three-year starter for the Flames, has mostly played outside hitter this year. At 5-foot-8, she's always a few inches shorter than everyone else at the net, but she said she isn't intimated by taller girls trying to spike on her.

"I just jump higher than them," said McConahey, who captains the team along with senior Shantel Dickerson.

McConahey's vertical is good enough to get her above the net and even with the 6-footers coming at her. When she's playing in the front row, along with Lodi's Jenae Reich (6-foot) and Tori Shepard (5-11), the Flames form a strong attacking force that can also shut down opposing threats.

The trio will need to stand tall today when the No. 6 Flames (19-8) host No. 11 Nevada Union (31-9) in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs at The Inferno at 7 p.m.

Lodi head coach Krista Brereton said having a player like McConahey on the court will help Lodi's chances of advancing to the second round after a first-round exit last year.

"It's the energy she brings to the court. She's running all over to make saves and get digs," Brereton said of McConahey. "Her defense makes her a great player."

The Miners' No. 11 seed is somewhat deceiving as Nevada Union is the Division I seven-time defending champion, which is the most consecutive championships in Sac-Joaquin Section volleyball history.

The Miners dropped their last game of the regular season to Rocklin, a team ranked No. 1 in the Division II bracket that they beat three times previously this season. The loss hurt Nevada Union's seeding and sent the team on the road for the first time in the Miners' 15 playoff appearances under head coach Bob Rogers.

Brereton said she was surprised the Miners lost their last game to Rocklin and that they dropped so low in the rankings.

"It is going to be a tough match," she said. "We are going to have to play well and play good defense."

While Lodi and Nevada Union didn't play each other this season, they meet in the section semifinals in 2004 and 2007. The Miners won both contests on their way to two of their titles in the seven-year run.

McConahey remembers falling to the Miners in 2007 and doesn't want to suffer the same fate this year.

"We are going to have to work hard, but I think we can do it," she said.

Volleyball schedule

Division I First Round
Who: No. 11 Nevada Union (31-9) at No. 6 Lodi (19-8)
When: Today at 7 p.m.
Where: The Inferno
Cost: Adults $7; Students/Children $5.

Division V First Round
Who: No. 9 Tioga (7-10) at No. 8 Elliot (12-9)
When: Today at 7 p.m.
Where: Elliot Christian High School
Cost: Adults $7; Students/Children $5.

The Flames will have the advantage of playing on their home court, where they hope to have a large cheering section. Lodi's had some heated contests this year, like when the Flames hosted Tokay, when the bleachers were full of cheering students in the school's new group the Flames Fanatics.

That combined with Lodi's ability to work as a team, a trait the squad has relied on all year without having one dominant star like the Flames have had in the past, has Lodi hoping it can advance to Thursday's second round.

"If we start flowing together we are good," Dickerson said. "As long we come out strong and we flow, I think we'll be OK. We will have a good chance."

Contact reporter Joelle Milholm at joellem@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

LHS Student wrote on Nov 10, 2009 9:30 AM:

" Emily is actually 5'6 which makes her even more amazing! I love you cousin. :) "

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