As a freshman in 2016, junior outside hitter Emma Longley was a key piece of the Mountaineers volleyball team, leading the team in kills with 363 and digs with 284. She posted double-double statistics nine times during the season and had five matches with 20+ kills, including a 30-kill performance against the Virginia Tech Hokies in her first ever match.
After such a stellar freshman campaign, Longley was expected to be just as integral as a sophomore in 2017. Things started off well, producing a double-double in the first game of the season with 18 kills and 13 digs against Missouri State University and following up with a 17-kill performance against UNCW two games later.