After impressive high school career, Truluck set for college volleyball

Forest’s Emma Truluck (5) spikes the ball past South Lake’s Jordyn Milbourne (16) during the regional quarter final at Forest High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Forest won the regional quarter final 3 sets to 0. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Forest’s Emma Truluck (5) spikes the ball past Dunnellon’s Kendal Brenneman (11) during a volleyball match at Forest High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021.Forest won the match in straight sets. Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Forest High School senior Emma Truluck loves the game of volleyball. The sport is one that has helped her in many ways during her life.

“Volleyball is something that eases my mind,” Truluck said. “It also challenges me in ways nothing else could.”

Truluck has been playing volleyball most of her life. Playing for Ocala Power, Max Performance and Gainesville Juniors has molded her into the player she is today.

“I will be working with Ocala Power, playing my 18U season there in preparation for college,” she added.

Truluck committed to the University of Tampa during the summer after her sophomore year at Forest after attending numerous camps and games there. Her sister-in-law attended UT, so that comfort level played a big part in the early commitment.

But during her senior year, Truluck decommitted from UT and committed to play at the University of Central Florida.

Truluck cited multiple factors in the decision to change her commitment.

“I decided to decommit from UT in early fall to put all my focus on indoor volleyball,” Truluck said. “I was going to UT to play both indoor and beach volleyball. I felt like I would be happier playing somewhere else, at a bigger school, and on a ‘bigger stage’ playing only indoor.”

“I love the coaches and the volleyball program at UT but felt that I wanted a different college experience as I matured,” she added.

A three-year captain at Forest, Truluck was also named the Florida Dairy Farmer’s 2021 class 6A player of the year. She was also invited to play in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star game in Lakeland as one of the top performers in the state of Florida.

Once at UCF, Truluck plans to continue to do what made her successful at Forest.

“My goal is to work hard and no matter what position I am on the team, to be an amazing athlete and to push myself and my teammates to be successful on and off the court,” she said.

Working towards a degree in physical therapy or athletic training will help keep her involved in what she loves most.

“I want to be a physical therapist or an athletic trainer,” Truluck said. “I want to continue to work with athletes and sports.”

Truluck looks back fondly on her career at Forest, even with a quarterfinal loss to Leon in the 2021 playoffs.

“It definitely did not end the way I was hoping,” she said. “I had an amazing four years at Forest. I loved my time there.”

Truluck plans to keep volleyball in her life, even if she does not play professionally after college.

“I am someone who will never stop working out as long as I am physically able,” she said. “I may play pickup games or small games to play for fun.”

Just for fun?

“I will still make them competitive, of course!”