Coupeville Sports

   Emma Smith unloads a killer serve in a recent match. (John Fisken photos)

Smith points to a bright, bright future.

And one suitable for mom Konni to frame.

Well, that settles it.

Emma Smith has superstar written all over her, and when it was brought to my attention that former Wolf legend Joli Smith was her aunt, the deal was sealed.

Back in my early days, when I was a 21-year-old sports editor at the Whidbey News-Times, Joli was among the best athletes I covered, both skills-wise and personality-wise.

And it looks like her niece, who celebrates a birthday today and plays in a volleyball match tonight, will follow in her dad’s sister’s epic foot prints.

Emma was sensational at the middle school level in multiple sports, and hitting high school hasn’t slowed her roll at all.

The tall, hard-hitting, camera-friendly Wolf is the only freshman on the CHS varsity volleyball squad, and she’s not just there to keep a seat warm.

Emma has already played in two of her team’s three matches and put up strong stats.

She already has the length to be a top hitter, and as her confidence grows and her skills continue to be fine-tuned, she should team with other younger stars like Katrina McGranahan, Kyla Briscoe and Lauren Rose to make for a formidable force.

When spring rolls around, Smith is expected to put her track shoes back on, and her blazing quickness is well documented.

At CMS, she never finished lower than second in any relay she ran in, while also showing a dynamic side as a thrower. In one meet, Emma claimed first in both the shot put and discus.

Of course, as good an athlete as she appears to be, the other part which will make her a legend in these parts is her willingness to join the hallowed tradition of Wolves who LOVE to have their photo taken.

Emma may not be at the McKenzie Bailey Photo Bomb Queen gold standard level quite yet, but she’s young and she shows great promise, either by herself or with fellow frosh like Ashley Menges, Maddy Hilkey, Ashlie Shank and Lindsey Roberts.

As she enjoys her big day (a win over Orcas Island would be a nice present), we want to wish Joli’s niece all the best.

Happy birthday, Emma.