Emma Leavitt (far left) and fellow 8th graders already have a season of high school softball under their belts. (Photos courtesy Leann Leavitt)
Emma Leavitt is ahead of the curve.
As she prepares to transition from middle school to high school this fall, the Coupeville freshman-to-be has already experienced the thrill of advancing to the state tourney as a varsity athlete.
That’s because Leavitt suited up for CHS softball as an 8th grader, part of a group of precocious young athletes who will get a chance to play five seasons of high school ball.
And that first go-round?
Only the second most-successful campaign in program history, as the Wolves went 20-3, won league and district titles, and split four games at state.
With that experience fresh on their minds, Leavitt and Company will hit high school ready to rock.
A big fan of bands such as Creed, Alice in Chains, and Limp Bizkit, she intends to stay with softball and volleyball during her high school days.
Leavitt “tried basketball for the first and only time” in 7th grade, but found it was “not my thing.”
Lil’ Emma (far right) learned the sport from Wolf volleyball legends like (l to r) Hope Lodell, Valen Trujillo, and Payton Aparicio.
First up in the fall will be volleyball, a sport she has played at both the school and club level.
Older sister Jaimee was a skilled sniper as a serving ace back in her own CHS spiker days, and lil’ sis wants to keep the family tradition alive.
Emma took to the sport at a young age and continues to love life on the floor.
“Volleyball is my favorite sport because it has taught me so much,” Leavitt said.
“Starting with the kid clinics in kindergarten all the way to my freshman year, not just learning the sport itself but also teaching me to be supportive of others and to be kind to even those who don’t have any experience.
“Really what it means to be a TEAMMATE.”
Add in softball, where she would like “to make starting varsity outfield and to see state again as a Wolf,” and she’ll be busy.
But that’s part of the plan.
“Not only do sports keep me healthy and active, but it helps me keep my grades up and learning to better my skill at the sports I am playing,” Leavitt said.
“Someone might play a sport for a long time like me, but there will always be some things that you won’t know how to do or just never knew was a thing, like how in 2025 I am just now learning to perfect my jump serve in volleyball.”
Whether paddle boarding around a lake, camping with “my best buds and family,” or “sitting around and being lazy and watching Sweet Magnolias, Gilmore Girls, or 10 Things I Hate About You,” she enjoys her down time, but knows when to turn it on.
“One strength I am told I have in sports is that I am very coachable,” Leavitt said.
“And while you might always see me make a weird face while being coached, which may seem disrespectful, I can assure you it is not.
“It’s simply me being me and my mom will be yelling from the stands “FIX YOUR FACE,” she said with a laugh.
Opening up and becoming more vocal is a goal going forward, Leavitt said.
“I would love to work on that, as well as getting out of my comfort zone of being quiet,” she said. “Even though I have a great attitude and spirit, I’m not loud about it and wish I was.”
Henry Bailey has played a big role on Leavitt’s support crew.
While her parents Nate and Leann have been influential in her life — “I love my parents; they know that and they support me in everything I do, always showing up and cheering me on” — Emma draws her biggest inspiration from someone her own age.
“Henry Bailey, my best friend, has always been there for me as a friend,” she said. “We grew up together and he is my comfort place.
“He has taught me to be a kind person and to not to worry about anything ahead of me that might make me uncomfortable, from a simple “Don’t feel weird, it will be OK Emma.
“While those words might seem simple, deep down they mean a lot more.”
Bailey’s friendship has been huge in Leavitt’s growth, and she pledges to return the favor.
“He has supported me through my decisions hard and easy and has made me feel like I could say anything I’m struggling with to him, and he won’t judge me whatsoever,” she said.
“I will also continue to be here for him and support him in track and what every other interest he has come across.”
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