Eastern Illinois University Athletics

2012 ... Preseason All-OVC ... saw action in 21 matches in her final season in a Panther uniform ... nailed a personal-best .417 in EIU's win at TTU, while also improving her dig tally with 20 at home versus UTM ... tied her block tally with five against Toledo ...  finished her EIU career with six kill/dig duo-duos, including 15+ kills and 15+points in 14 and 16 contests, respectively.

2011 ... Louisville Classic All-Tournament Team... Indiana Classic All-Tournament Team ... had a standout junior campaign as she started and played in every match... led squad with 386 kills for a 3.36 kills-per-set mark... also sported the top service game off 31 aces... naturally led the EIU scoring with 442.0 points as well... registered six kill-dig double-doubles... that included nailing 15 or more kills 11 times over the course of the season... and had 15+ digs trice... nailed a season-high five blocks vs. EKU... scored 15+ points in 15 matches... led her squad in single-match kills, aces and points throughout the year... improved or tied her EIU single-match marks in every statistical category, including nailing 24 kills twice, hitting .405 versus Niagara and 17 digs against EKU.

2010 ... Saw limited action after competing in 14 matches... had 29 attacks at regular-season OVC champion Morehead State, which set a new personal single-match high in the process.

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN ... Before transferring to EIU, Emily played one season for the Lumberjacks at Stephen F. Austin... saw consistent action in 21 of 37 total matches as a true freshman... nailed a season-high 10 kills in the Jack’s four-set win at Northwestern State, while also registering four digs and assisted in three blocks... squad went 24-13 overall and 11-5 in the Southland Conference.

HIGH SCHOOL ... Three-year letterwinner at Oregon HS, where she competed alongside fellow Panther volleyball player Stephanie Arnold... team MVP and unanimous First Team All-Badger Conference selection as a junior and senior... earned honorable mention all-state selections twice... had 360 kills as a junior and 383 as a senior to lead her Panther squad to the regional championship her last two seasons... played club ball for the Wisconsin Power in 2006 and for Capital Volleyball Academy in 2007... led CVA to gold medals at the JVDA Zonal in Wisconsin Dells and at the AAU competition in Orlando, Fla., both in the 17’s division.

PERSONAL ... Credits her mom for having the biggest influence on her sports career, “because she has always supported every practice, game or qualifier... she wants me to do my very best every time I step out onto the court”... besides volleyball, also enjoys playing basketball and football... has a full menagerie of pets at home, including ‘Shadow’ (a black lab); cats ‘Kitkat’ ‘Pugzy’, Dusty’, and ‘Boots’; and a rabbit named ‘Gilbert’... lists Lincoln Hall, her home away from home while at EIU, as her favorite building on campus.

OFF THE COURT WITH EMILY ...
Major at EIU ... Kineseology & Sports Studies
Daughter of ... John & Terry Franklin
Born on ... March 5
My nicknames ... ‘Em’ or ‘Emmy Jo’
Since coming to EIU I have learned ... that ice baths help you survive preseason camp
Chose EIU ... because it is close to home, a very athletic team and the squad is full of great girls with amazing personalities
Favorite Foods ... mac n’ cheese, fruit and lasagna
Least favorite foods ... mushrooms and anchovies
Hidden talents ... I play the piano, can draw and good at playing video games
Favorite quote ... “If you fall, get back up and try again”
Advice to a younger athlete ... just remember to breath while running