Barrington's Harris commits to Western Michigan

With a father who played in the National Football League, Emily Harris seemed destined to play sports.

"I knew I was going to play something because my whole family was into sports," said Harris, who led her Barrington girls basketball team with 12 points and 7 rebounds in a 39-33 season-opening win over Maine South on Thursday. "I thought it would be basketball. I didn't think volleyball.

"But my sophomore year, college volleyball coaches started showing interest in me. And I started getting better and improving in the sport. I was like "Oh, this may be my college sport.' "

Harris knew what she was talking about. She continued to advance her skills with club volleyball and this past Tuesday she reaped the benefits with a verbal commitment to Western Michigan.

Her Barrington High School teams are the Broncos (boys) and Fillies (girls).

"I made my commitment in kind of a cool way, sending them an e-mail with pictures of balloons, a cake with candles and a poster that said. "From a Barrington Bronco to a Western Michigan Bronco"." she said.

Emily's father Al, a first-round NFL draft choice, played linebacker for the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles after a collegiate football career at Arizona State.

"My dad and mom (Debbie) are both excited that I am going to play Division I volleyball," said Emily, who has volunteered her time with a nonprofit organization at Barrington High School. "I am relieved and excited to have made the decision."

Harris was an all-area volleyball player for Fillies coach Chris Bronke this fall.

Whether it was a block or kill, the 6-foot-1 senior had the capability to turn a match into Barrington's favor.

"Emily is the kind of kid who can just take over a match," Bronke said. "As a middle hitter she is unstoppable."

Harris put down 168 kills with 78 blocks, 34 aces and 103 digs.

"Emily's combination of speed and her vertical make her a force that even the best teams struggle with," Bronke said. "As a person, she is as sweet as they come. She has great ball control, plays tough defense, sets a great ball, and is one of the best servers on the team. Overall, an impressive combination of skill, athleticism, and character."

Bronke has enjoyed Harris's progress throughout high school.

"Watching her develop as a volleyball player and grow as a person and leader over the last four years has been a true honor," Bronke said. "She has gracefully blossomed into a kid who will not only make an immediate impact at Western Michigan, but will have a chance to help lead that team by example and through her passion and caring for others for all four years."

Harris does not know what she will study but she enjoys working with the young children in Barrington High School's preschool program and she likes English.

Emily said the Western Michigan coaches are looking at her as a possible middle hitter but added that anything can happen once she gets on campus.

"Regardless of what position she plays there, as she could play several, Western Michigan is blessed to have gotten her," Bronke said.