Emmy Blane Will Forego Senior Season at UK to Focus on Getting Into Law School

Emmy Blane (25) grew up dreaming of playing for UK but will give up her senior season to concentrate on getting into law school. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Emmy Blane was a high school phenom at Christian County where she was a three-time all-state softball selection. She finished her career as the school leader in hits (304), RBIs (229), runs scored (265) and doubles (79). She also belted 44 homers.

“My dream as a kid was to come to Kentucky and compete for my home state school,” said Blane. “I was so fortunate to get to do that. I met the most amazing people and I am so grateful for the opportunities I had. I will remember the friendships and memories forever.”

She hit .296 in 56 games, including 54 starts, and had seven home runs and 32 runs batted-in last season after being used mainly as a defensive specialist her first two seasons because she could play third base, shortstop or second base where she started most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

However, Blane won’t play her senior season at Kentucky. Instead, she’ll start concentrating on getting into law school. She said the decision to “prioritize academics” over softball was “definitely not an easy one” because of her passion for softball.

“I want to go to law school and will be studying for the LSAT (law school admission test) soon. I know it is possible to do both (play softball and prepare for law school) and a lot of people have done it,” Blane, a national AP scholar at Christian County who has a perfect 4.0 grade-point average at UK, said. “Each person is different. I just think it is best to prioritize that (law school) and my future.”

“Softball is eventually going to come to an end. I gave it my all. I give my all to everything I do. Now I have decided to put that energy into my academics. I didn’t take this decision lightly. It was not a spontaneous move. I had talked to my family about it for a while.”

It’s no surprise coach Rachel Lawson is supportive of her move even though it will leave an unexpected hole in the UK lineup next season. Blane said Lawson has always supported her goal of attending law school.

“She always says to make a difference you have to get a seat at the table,” Blane said.

Lawson and Blane’s teammates constantly praised her for her leadership as well as her play. She’s been the softball representative for the UK  Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Blane has been involved in numerous community service projects and was one of two UK athletes to earn the Community Service Award at the CATSPY Awards this spring.

“I have grown so much as a person since I have been at UK. I am very appreciative of the off-field opportunities UK Athletics provided me for leadership and career development,” Blane said.

She won’t just walk away from softball and her teammates. She worked UK’s summer camp a few weeks ago. She plans to attend games and alumni events.

“Those girls mean everything to me and that is the hardest part about doing this,” Blane said. “I want to stay as close to them as I can.”

She was glad to have a major role offensively last season in what turned out to be her final year and “feel connected” with the team on offense and defense.

“The first two years were definitely challenging mentally but college really is a whole different ball game. I had to find confidence to overcome barriers offensively,” Blane said.

As for some of her best memories, she gave these three:

— Renee Abernathy’s go-ahead homer in a NCAA Tournament win at Virginia Tech last season.

— In 2021 coming back and beating Notre Dame back-to-back in the NCAA Tournament in Lexington to win the regional championship.

— Game three against Alabama in 2021 when UK won 5-4 in eight innings to win the regular-season series.

“Those are just three of the best memories but I have a lot,” Blane said.