COLUMBUS – As a dominant force for Utica’s volleyball team for the past four years, Emily Londot was destined to achieve bigger and better things.
Now a starting opposite hitter for the Ohio State Buckeyes, the sports industry major is playing her favorite sport at a whole new speed.
“It is definitely a quicker game than in high school for sure,” Londot said. “Everyone’s good, so you really need to know what you’re doing."
At the college level, Londot no longer enjoys the height advantage that she had in high school. But her versatility and desire to learn every facet of the game has made her very valuable to the Buckeyes. She leads 12th-ranked Ohio State (12-0) with 186 kills.
“I’m mostly on the right side in the front row, but they also have me playing back row a little bit,” Londot said. “I’ve definitely been working on my digging and I’m getting better, but I still have lots to work on. It’s good to attack from the back row also because teams don’t see you coming. I think everyone started from scratch. I’ve been placed into the role of being there when everyone needs me.”
Top-flight opposition is also teaching Londot and her teammates valuable lessons.
“I feel like we’ve been challenged by every single team we played, each in a different way,” she said. “I feel like every game we played, we have gotten better in different situations. Penn State is definitely a big one. There is no slacker in the Big Ten this year. Everyone is good.”
Londot’s ability to step into any role, learn it and take charge is one of the reasons she is a starter.
“I feel like everywhere in my game has improved since I got here,” she said. “The coaches have taught me new things that I have never even thought about, so having them there is really nice. Definitely in the hitting standpoint of the game, I have improved my vision and my shots, so it’s been really good. One of the assistant coaches, Nicole Fawcett, played at Penn State and she played professionally. She has been here as a volunteer assistant, and she does an amazing job explaining things and helping me with what I need to work on.”
COVID-19 restrictions limit how many fans are allowed into the 100,000-square-foot Covelli Center, Ohio State’s 3,700-seat facility for home games.
“It’s not the same this year because there’s not a whole arena of fans around you to raise the excitement level,” Londot said. “Sometimes that makes it easier. It feels like a practice or a scrimmage, so that kind of lets some of the stress off.”
Londot’s parents, Kevin and Laurie, have attended all of their daughter’s home games along with some road games. Laurie Londot, who coached Emily at Utica and played Division I volleyball at Louisville, wishes more fans were allowed to attend.
“It’s exciting to get to see her play,” Laurie Londot said. “At the same time, it’s sad because there’s 40 of us there — just the parents. Otherwise, the place would be packed. We’re just thankful they are playing at all. It’s fun to watch them play. Emily’s sister, Alyson, is playing over at Robert Morris and we have to watch online. Their conference is not letting anyone into the games.”
