Athlete of the Month is a series where MyRye.com profiles the best athletes of each month throughout the academic year, as selected by Rye Athletics. Today, we look at senior Emma Lunstead of the Rye Volleyball team, who earned Rye High School’s Athlete of the Month honors for September 2025.
“Emma is one of the captains on the team, and leads by example,” Head Coach Geri Jones said to MyRye.com. “She is a hard worker determined to lead the defense.”
Lunstead has led the Garnets in digs in all thirteen of their games in 2025, including helping Rye to a 9-1 record in their ten September contests. She was the key cog behind their eight-game winning streak, punctuated by a 27-dig performance in a three-set sweep of Ardsley on September 30. She was also named to an All-Tournament Team after leading Rye’s defense throughout a mini one-day jamboree on September 20. While the Garnets are very balanced, there is no doubt the senior libero is the most important piece on the floor nearly every night.
“[Lunstead] is one of the most frustrating defensive players for other teams who send over their best,” Jones continued. “Emma digs them up. She is reliable, mature, and a supportive teammate.”
Lunstead is the first Athlete of the Month for Rye Athletics this year.
