Larson left UND in May of 2008 after just three seasons with the Fighting Sioux. She had finished school early, earning a bachelors of science, and was engaged to be married in July so she packed her rackets in order to start the next chapter of her life.

"I was uncertain of what graduate program I wanted to start and I knew I wanted to get married," said Larson.

David Larson, Emma's husband, still had his senior year pole-vaulting for Wheaton College to complete so the newlyweds spent the year in Wheaton, Ill., a suburb of Chicago.

Thinking she was giving up her fourth year of athletics, Larson recalls feeling like, "I was giving up something, but getting something as well."

"David had transferred to UND for a semester to be with me so I felt like I needed to give up something as well," said Larson.

When the tennis coach at Wheaton College tried recruiting Larson to play last year she simply wasn't interested. Emma had earned her professional tennis certification after leaving UND so she was excited to teach tennis at a club.

"I didn't feel like I was giving up the sport because I was still involved in it," said Larson.

But there were aspects of the game of tennis Emma couldn't get through teaching.

"I missed the competition, I missed being a Fighting Sioux athlete, I missed the team," said Larson.

Larson has the heart of a true athlete. She is a competitor to her core. Teaching 50 to 60 hour weeks at the tennis center had made her feel grateful for the opportunity she had at UND to play college tennis.

"I realized if I had a year of eligibility, I wanted to use it, whether it be at Wheaton or UND."

Larson held a desire to return to the world of competition. All it took to get her back as a Fighting Sioux athlete was a visit from myself in Chicago, featuring a spirited match between us and a hard core sales pitch followed by a phone call from UND tennis coach Tom Wynne providing her with an opportunity she just couldn't refuse.

"Coach Tom called and said he was down player. One of his top freshman recruits had just injured herself."

The offer from Wynne came in late July so Emma and David had to make a quick decision to return to Grand Forks.

"The decision was easy. I gave my two-week notice to the tennis center right away. David had graduated and has a passion for hunting so he was excited to return back to North Dakota."

While living in Wheaton Emma was around tennis every day, but she was still nervous for the work that lie ahead of her once she arrived back in Grand Forks in early August.

"Excitement quickly replaced the nerves because I knew I had all fall to get my game and physical conditioning back up to speed," said Larson.

Maybe it's this optimism that has led to Emma's successful year or maybe it's her dedication to hard work. I believe, however, it's the combination of both that has created someone who is unstoppable. Not even a repeat injury this fall from an incident that occurred during her freshman year could hold her back.

"The biggest challenge that I have faced during my time here at UND has been to rehab back from three knee surgeries." "I wouldn't be competing today if it weren't for (athletic therapist) Kathy Ziegler pushing me each day in rehab. My surgeries have taught me valuable lessons that make me who I am today," said Larson.

Being a married, graduate student-athlete doesn't come without struggles as well. "I'm busy, busy, busy. I often feel stretched as I am working hard on my thesis, keeping up with practice, and spending time with my husband and dog, 'Wilson'," said Larson.

Aside from overcoming challenges on and off the court, Larson has experienced many successes during her years at UND. But according to Larson, "The sweetest success came this spring when we beat a legit D1 team, Western Illinois, 7-0 even though we were the underdogs. It was fun to see our team come together and everyone win big."

Being part of helping UND transition to D1 is something Larson has really enjoyed this season. Larson also said the best part of playing this year is, "Living in the moment, leading the freshmen, enjoying my wins, losses, teammates, and practices. There are days I take it all for granted, but I am more intentional thinking about my last road trips. I have been making the most of my last year of college eligibility."

This year is unlike others for Larson because she is the oldest member of the team and has been helping lead the team as co-captain. Larson said, "It took me a couple weeks to catch on to the term "mama" as the freshmen named me early on in the fall." But now she has fully accepted her place as I, the only other upperclassman, began to use the term as well.

Larson has already begun to look ahead to what this summer will bring. As a devoted Twins fan Larson hopes to make a few road trips to Target Field. And as for next year, she plans on finishing up her masters in kinesiology while teaching a few classes on campus. Tennis will still remain part of her life for the time being as she will be teaching tennis at Center Court Fitness Club.

However, Larson makes it clear that her focus is still on the present. With the Great West Conference Tournament taking place May 1-2 in Grand Forks, Larson said the team has started to prepare.

"Our team has transferred from playing indoors at Center Court Fitness Club to battling the winds at University Park. We will be ready for conference and will have a home advantage because all the visiting teams have not seen wind like we have in Grand Forks. It is a different game playing in the wind and I think that will give us an edge."

Larson, as well as the UND tennis team, is excited for a home conference tournament because of the friends and family that will attend. She is especially excited for her parents, Grant and Nettie, to be there because they are her biggest fans rarely missing a match. "I feel truly blessed to have their love and support," said Larson.

~Go Sioux~