BLACKSBURG – As it has been done now for several years, the Virginia Tech women's soccer program introduces its signing class in a different way. Rather than announcing all of them and their accomplishments in one release, Tech highlights each new signee individually with her own release and a "Get to Know" Q&A. This method will continue for the 2021 signing class in our "Welcome Wednesday" features until all of the new Hokies have been announced.
The second 2021 addition to be featured is Emma Pelkowski, a 5-foot-7 midfielder from West Chester, Pennsylvania. She currently attends Bayard Rustin High School and she anticipates majoring in biological sciences when she comes to Tech.
Pelkowski has been playing for Penn Fusion DA for 14 years, under coaches Tino Mueller, Shane Coyne, and most recently, Craig Scangerella. On three separate occasions, she's earned the DA's Standout Player of the Week for her efforts on the field.
She's also attended US Soccer Training Center events from 2015 through 2018 and has ODP experience as well, earning a spot on the 2016 ODP Thanksgiving Inter-Regional Team and attending a national camp in Arizona in 2017.
Pelkowski played just one season of high school soccer, her senior year, due to her club commitments. She was named a team captain for the 2020 season and helped the Golden Knights to a 5-3-1 record and a spot in the District 1-4A playoffs. After the season, she was named a First Team Ches-Mont All-League player.
"Emma is an exciting, attacking midfield player, who can play in a variety of positions in the midfield and up front," Tech head coach Chugger Adair said. "She's good on the ball, technical, and good with both feet and is able to test the backline.
"She can find herself as an attacking mid or on the forward line and she can be very dangerous and good going to goal. She's got good athleticism and good pace and a wonderful personality that will allow her to impact our team moving forward."
GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT – Emma
Name: Emma Pelkowski
Position: Attacking Mid
Height: 5-foot-7
Hometown: West Chester, Pa.
High School: Bayard Rustin High School
Other Schools considered: University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown, Penn State, West Virginia, Richmond
Why did you choose Tech? I selected Virginia Tech because the second I stepped foot on campus I knew this is where I wanted to play soccer and study the next four years!
What was your favorite thing about your visit? The school spirit that I felt when I was on campus.
What do you like about the Tech soccer program? Everybody works together as a team and wants to be the best!
What are your soccer strengths? My soccer strengths would be my leadership, competitive nature and my ability to see the field.
Who is your favorite pro player (why)? My favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus). I love watching when he gets the ball and drives up the field with so much speed and skill.
What is your most memorable soccer moment (why)? My favorite soccer memory would be when I was able to play soccer in my senior year of high school. At the opening game, when I heard my name called out in the stadium in front of my team and the fans, it was an honor to play for my school.
What do you think you will major in (why)? I will major in biology because I want to become a genetics counselor/researcher. When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, this sparked my interest to understand more behind why people get certain diseases.
What's one thing you'd want Tech fans to know about you? I have two dogs named Phineas and Chester.
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Maddy Baucom
