You Couldn’t Script a Better Senior Day: With Her 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 Win Over Alabama’s Maria Martinez Vaquero, Emmastak Becomes the Second Player in Program History
On a sunny afternoon that felt tailor-made for triumph, Emmastak delivered a performance on Senior Day that transcended the box score. In front of a cheering home crowd, with her family in the stands and her teammates rallying behind her, the senior standout etched her name into the record books with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 win over Alabama’s gritty Maria Martinez Vaquero. The victory not only sealed a critical win for her team in a tightly contested match, but also made Emmastak the second player in program history to reach a prestigious career milestone — a moment of legacy wrapped in layers of emotion and accomplishment.
The Match: Grit, Composure, and Signature Style
Facing Alabama’s Maria Martinez Vaquero — a determined, baseline-heavy player known for her ability to extend points and frustrate opponents — Emmastak wasted no time asserting herself in the first set. Utilizing her precision serve and deft net play, she dominated the opening frame 6-2, breaking Martinez Vaquero twice while holding serve with clinical efficiency.
The second set, however, tested her resolve. Martinez Vaquero, refusing to go quietly, adjusted her strategy by slowing down the tempo and forcing Emmastak into longer rallies. After saving multiple break points, the Alabama junior snuck away with a 7-5 win, capitalizing on one of the few unforced errors Emmastak made all afternoon.
But it was in the third set that Emmastak’s championship composure truly shone. Shaking off the disappointment of the second frame, she dug deep and returned to the aggressive, calculated play that had won her so many matches over her four-year career. Breaking early and riding the momentum, she sealed the set — and the match — with a thunderous forehand winner, 6-2. The crowd erupted. Her teammates swarmed the court. Her coach embraced her. And a chapter of program history was written.
A Historic Milestone
With the win, Emmastak becomes only the second player in program history to reach the elusive 100-win mark in singles competition. The achievement places her in rarefied air alongside the program’s greatest icons, and speaks to her consistency, resilience, and commitment to excellence throughout her collegiate career.
“I honestly didn’t know I was that close,” she said with a laugh during her post-match interview. “I was so focused on just playing for the team and enjoying my last home match. To find out afterward that I made history — it’s surreal.”
But ask anyone who has watched her play over the last four years, and they’ll tell you it’s anything but surprising. From the moment she stepped onto campus as a freshman, Emmastak made an immediate impact — showing poise beyond her years and a hunger that set the tone for a cultural shift within the program.
“She’s the kind of player every coach dreams of having,” said head coach Lauren Gregory. “First one in, last one out. Doesn’t just lead with her words — she leads with her work. What she did today is a fitting tribute to the legacy she’s built here.”
More Than Just a Player
What makes Emmastak’s story even more compelling is how much she’s meant to the program off the court. A leader in community service, a mentor to younger teammates, and a two-time Academic All-SEC honoree, she has embodied the full student-athlete experience.
She launched the program’s “Serve for a Cause” initiative, partnering with local non-profits to raise awareness and funds for mental health support services. The program, which began with a simple fundraiser during her sophomore year, has grown into a staple of the team’s outreach mission — another example of how Emmastak’s influence stretches far beyond the court.
“She’s left this place better than she found it,” said assistant coach Rebekah Lane. “And that’s the true measure of legacy.”
Looking Ahead — But Not Done Yet
Despite the emotional weight of Senior Day and the historical significance of the win, Emmastak made it clear that she isn’t finished. With the SEC Tournament around the corner and NCAA Regionals within reach, she’s still laser-focused on helping her team reach new heights.
“This isn’t a goodbye,” she said with a smile. “We’ve got more tennis to play, and I want to leave it all out there with my team. That’s the only way I know how to go out.”
Her final match on home turf may have been the perfect script — a hard-fought win, a piece of history, and a raucous celebration with her teammates — but Emmastak isn’t chasing fairytales. She’s chasing victories, legacy, and, most importantly, one last run with the teammates who’ve become family.
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