Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 2 | October 2018

inside.hokiesports.com 29 the court. Obviously, with basically an entire roster returning, the Hokies enter the season with the aforementioned lofty expectations. Looking farther out, their standout guard graduates next May with a degree in creative writing. Many of her junior college courses transferred as electives, so she worried about pursuing a science major and still graduating on time. Thus, she decided on another passion of hers, creative writing, with assurances from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine higher-ups that her application to vet school still would be considered. Emery already has started down that path—she applied to the veterinary school in late August and hopes to find out the school’s decision in November or December. “I don’t know if you’re born with it, but you grow up loving certain things without really knowing why you love it,” she said. “I know basketball, and animals are the things that I loved growing up.” For sure, she has put herself in position to have options after graduation, like maybe the WNBA or playing overseas or possibly vet school. All present challenges, but this young woman never has run from one before. In fact, she runs to them, and her DNA keeps her fighting until she succeeds. Just ask that guy from the Chicago playground. His bloody nose provides the evidence. Taylor Emery, who set school records for points and field goals as a junior, hopes to lead the Hokies to the NCAA Tournament in her final season.