One Last Roar: Emma Robson, Soccer & Squash

"One Last Roar" is a series that will recognize the accomplishments of the senior student-athletes at Mount Holyoke College graduating during the 2020-21 academic year. From now until May, read about our senior student-athletes as they reflect on their careers as members of Lyons Nation. Make sure to check out Mount Holyoke College Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see photos of their top memories with their teammates over the past four years.

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Senior Emma Robson (Amherst, Mass.) an Economics major is a dual-sport soccer and squash student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College who will graduate at the completion of the Spring 2021 semester.

Robson, a midfielder/defender and senior captain on the soccer team, started in 28 of the 47 games she's played in over a three-year span. On the pitch, Robson was an instrumental part of the Lyons' back line that helped Mount Holyoke to a pair of shut-out victories during the 2019 season. As a squash student-athlete, Robson won back-to-back matches against Wellesley and Vassar to help the Lyons to a Seven Sisters Championship title in 2018. The following year, Robson achieved an 11-2, 11-2, 11-8 victory against a Vassar opponent at the 2019 Seven Sisters Championship, which helped the team to their third-straight title and 11th in program history. Later that season, Robson also earned a 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 victory against a Franklin and Marshall opponent at the 2019 College Squash Association (CSA) Women's Team National Championships. In February 2020, Robson captured an 11-2, 11-5, 11-1 at No. 6 which helped lead the team to an 8-1 team victory against Wellesley. Robson served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as a squash representative

From Head Mount Holyoke Squash Coach, Erin Robson:

"Emma brought all of her competitive fire and team mentality from soccer to squash. I love what multi-sport athletes add to our team. There is a different perspective and sometimes different expectations which can be a healthy challenge for the team culture. She always kept the standards high for fitness and commitment. She helped out with recruiting a lot and served as our SAAC representative. There was a strong willingness to help out where needed.

Emma, Nicole, and Genesis pushed and challenged each other and they all improved so much. Like all the 2021s, Emma found a way to contribute to our team's successes. Last season, she had a big win against St. Lawrence and she came through in the very close match at Vassar. Emma competed fearlessly and developed from a runner/retriever with a decent serve to a player with attacking shots and confidence in the back corners.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to coach my daughter! It was not always easy for us, but I loved sharing the experience with her. I am so happy that she had the opportunity to play on a squash team with such an amazing group of student-athletes."

From Interim Head Mount Holyoke Soccer Coach, Kathy Brawn:

"Playing on a collegiate team for four years is always an impressive feat. To accomplish this during these challenging times is a true achievement. Emma has made her mark as a talented, hardworking, thoughtful, and dedicated student-athlete. Her return to campus and leadership as a co-captain throughout her senior year had a positive, enduring impact on this young team and its new coach. Emma appeared in 90% of the games over her career, starting in the majority of them. Her versatility and work ethic on the field, her engagement in SAAC, her contributions as a dual-sport student-athlete, and her fun-loving demeanor leave a wonderful legacy for both the soccer and squash programs. I have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated being her coach."

More about Emma...

Overall, share a few sentences about your time as a student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College. How has your experience as a student-athlete helped develop you into the person you are today?

Athletics is the reason I came to Mount Holyoke as a first-year and remained one of the most important aspects of my experience as a student here. Being a student-athlete has defined my time here at Mount Holyoke. It has given me lifelong friends and allowed me to grow into a more confident version of myself. My experience has pushed me out of my comfort zones and pushed me to be a leader. I have had many invaluable moments and experiences as a student-athlete that I will carry with me into my career and life after Mount Holyoke.

What were some of your favorite memories as a member of your team?

I have so many favorite memories on my teams. An obvious and big memory is traveling to Japan with the soccer team for preseason my first year. That is truly an experience I would not have had anywhere else.

Every squash season, I loved traveling with my team, staying in hotels, hanging out at the pools, and getting to know each other better. I loved winning the Seven Sisters every year I was here. Overall, one of my favorite memories of my time on the squash team is being awarded Most Improved Team in the entire CSA after a tough but rewarding season which included many upsets and beating our most competitive rivals.

What are your plans following graduation?

I am currently applying and interviewing for jobs in the financial sector. I am hoping to be moving to NYC following graduation.

Who have been some of your biggest supporters during your time at Mount Holyoke College? This can be anyone (i.e. family, friends, professors, coaches, etc.)

My biggest supporters during my time at Mount Holyoke are definitely my dad, mom, brothers, and of course my dog, Rooney. It helped that they are so close but they made sure to show up to all my soccer games and squash matches and my dad always brought the most popular food dish to the post-game picnics on Saturdays in the fall. My dad was also a huge supporter and part of my success as a collegiate squash player. He constantly coached, encouraged, and helped me along the way. He made sure I knew all the potential I had and grew my confidence immensely.

My friend Julianna Puccio is also one of my favorite fans to have for soccer. She made sure to come to every one of our home games and was always in the bleachers even when they were a little empty.

What is your favorite Mount Holyoke tradition?

I have always loved Convocation since I was a first-year. The soccer team has a tradition of making posters for the seniors and gathering at the top of the amphitheater to cheer for them. It's something I was definitely looking forward to having for my senior year and miss a lot.

Any words of advice you have for the future student-athletes of Mount Holyoke College?

Don't take anything for granted. The four years absolutely fly by. Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you and go to the little traditions and events even if they don't seem that great at the moment. They make for some great memories.