Emily was born and raised in Newton, Kansas. She played basketball and volleyball all four years at Newton High School. After high school, Emily attended Wichita State University on a volleyball scholarship where she majored in Physical Education and minored in Exercise Science. Emily played volleyball for the Shockers from 2013-2017 and was a Shocker Pizza Hut Hall of Fame Inductee in 2023. Since graduating from WSU, Emily has been teaching Physical Education and Health in the Wichita Public School District.