AOTW: Emily Aselage ready for big senior year
Ed. Note: The weekly Gazette Feature Athlete series returns for another summer. Each week we will feature returning athletes from Tipp and Bethel. First up is three-sport standout Emily Aselage.
It will be a busy senior year for Tipp senior Emily Aselage. The multi-sport standout will again look to lead the Red Devils to a successful season in each of her three sports, including volleyball as the season begins in just over two months.
She also is a key member of the girls basketball team, along with being an all-conference returner on the softball squad.
“I want to win the MVL in all three of my seasons (volleyball, basketball, and softball) as well as make it to the state tournament in all three sports,” she said. “My ultimate personal goal is to earn MVL recognition in all three sports, and possibly district and state recognition as well.”
Her volleyball squad finished a perfect 18-0 in the MVL last season, while her basketball team was a close second in the league. She knows that her offseason work—including playing on the Junior Olympic volleyball and travel softball circuit—will help prepare her for what she hopes if her biggest year to date.
“Playing Junior Olympic volleyball and travel softball for several years has given me the opportunity to improve my game and meet new people,” Aselage said. “I have developed some lasting friendships as well as improved my athletic skills. I have also enhanced my leadership skills and have learned how to be a great teammate. With my quiet demeanor, I have also learned how to become a vocal leader on the court and on the field.”
For Aselage, she may be a three-sport standout, but her attention is first on the volleyball season in the fall and a hope to repeat in the league as champions.
“This year’s volleyball team has almost all our varsity players back, along with a few others who will be joining the team,” she said. “This team should be one of the best teams that we have had at Tippecanoe High School, and I expect nothing less than winning the MVL again this year.”
“Our volleyball team is elite every season because of several factors. First, we have coaches who are committed to the program and spend countless hours during the season and in the off-season helping us to improve our skills. Second, almost all our players play Junior Olympic volleyball, attend open gyms, and/or do individual training sessions with the coaches in the off-season. Finally, everyone is committed to the program and are there to get the job done.”
Basketball also to get back the MVL crown that Butler took last season, and she is looking forward to big things in the winter.
“I am really looking forward to my senior year of basketball as our team gets the opportunity to work with a new head coach,” she said. “Coach Grasso is very dedicated and positive with all players. The entire team is very excited to play under his leadership. I think that we can have a very successful season with Coach Grasso as our coach and hopefully bring the MVL title back to Tipp again.”
Meanwhile, softball looks to get healthy again and bring the winning ways back to Tippecanoe.
“Softball this year wasn’t anything like I thought it would be,” she said. “We lost our starting pitcher at the beginning of the season due to an injury, and we had to face some adversities along the way. However, by the end of the season, we showed signs of improvement.”
“I am very proud of the MVL honors that I earned, but I couldn’t have earned them without the help and support of my teammates and coaches. I am really looking forward to next year as we will have Ella Henn back as our main pitcher and eight seniors back to lead the charge.”
