Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, West Harrison Volleyball’s Emma Dunn!

It’s the final week of the regular season for high school volleyball, and one West Harrison standout is finishing her high school career with a season to remember. In her last two games, outside hitter Emma Bunn has recorded 35 total kills, bringing her season total to 357 — the most in the Coast. While that number is impressive on its own, Bunn has been putting balls on the floor throughout her entire high school career, racking up 851 kills. But despite all those big moments, Bunn still remembers exactly what it felt like to record her first varsity kill as a freshman.

“It was scary at first. The first kill I got I screen recorded and watched it that whole night because I was so excited. Going into my sophomore year I told myself I could do this and it was something I could do, being a help to my team and putting balls on the floor consistently.”

Putting balls on the floor is something Bunn has done consistently, but her impact doesn’t stop at the net. The Hurricane captain plays all six rotations, attacking from the front row and helping anchor the defense from the back. That versatility has made Bunn one of the state’s top all-around players. She’s recorded 316 digs this season, ranking 25th in Mississippi, but playing every rotation comes with its challenges.

“It’s tiring and it get exhausting, especially after a five set game. You’re definitely ready to take a break for a minute because it’s so exhausting, but I really like what I do playing all six rotations. It keeps me in the game and doesn’t let me catch my breath because I’m always in and always doing something and it’s where the adrenaline comes from.”

Bunn’s ability to stay on the court doesn’t just come from conditioning and training. Along the way, she’s learned an important lesson about what it means to be part of a team.

“I’ve learned to rely on my teammates too. I’m not the only one or carrying the team because I have my teammates and I can rely on them and not try to do it all by myself.”

When it comes to her teammates, Bunn says West Harrison has something special. For her, the biggest strength of the Hurricanes isn’t just their talent — it’s the chemistry they share.

“We work together really well. We’re all friends and we’re super close and we all trust each other. The camaraderie of this team is amazing. I love being a part of this team. I think that’s the best thing we have going on for us.”

Now, after an impressive regular season and a career filled with big numbers and even bigger memories, Bunn and the Hurricanes are ready for the postseason. West Harrison begins its playoff run Tuesday night, with Bunn looking to add another chapter to an already impressive high school career.