Luke Embrey’s partiality for equations has the Center Grove senior thinking he would like to eventually major in actuarial science.
Fittingly, the Trojans’ No. 2 singles player is putting up impressive numbers of his own this season.
On the court, Embrey is 11-1 at No. 2 singles and 13-1 overall, having also won two matches in the No. 1 spot for the state’s sixth-ranked squad. He does all that while maintaining a 4.73 grade-point average, good for sixth academically in a class of 610 students.
“I think it is natural, but I also enjoy school. I find satisfaction in solving problems,” said Embrey, who is considering Purdue University, the University of Illinois and the University of Wisconsin as possible landing spots to pursue his college degree. “I definitely enjoy a challenge and having to figure things out instead of just knowing it.”
Center Grove, fresh off a 3-2 defeat of 21st-ranked Brebeuf Jesuit on Tuesday, returns to action this afternoon in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference tournament at Ben Davis.
In Embrey, longtime Trojans coach Ivan Smith has someone willing to lead through both actions and words.
“An example I can give is that during the offseason with the COVID (pandemic), Luke provided a lot of leadership and got the kids hitting and things like that,” Smith said. “He’s always been kind of a silent leader, and kids gravitate toward him.
“But there are times Luke can be vocal. He has a fire that doesn’t seem like it’s there, but it is.”
As a junior, Embrey was named to the Daily Journal’s all-county team after finishing with an 18-5 record. Most matches played were at No. 2 singles, though Embrey did play at the top of the Trojans’ lineup during the MIC tournament.
Smith notes he still needed to see improvement in Embrey, particularly given the demands of the regular-season schedule the Trojans play. The coach wanted his senior to work on hitting what he calls a heavier ball, a shot with more spin and a higher bounce, in order to make return shots more difficult for the opponent.
Embrey complied, which is evidenced by the success he’s having this season.
“Even at a young age, Luke learned what it took to win,” Smith said. “In order to improve, he had to do some things to get to the next level. Luke kind of had to leave his comfort zone, and not everyone is willing to do that.”
There is a mathematical precision to Embrey’s skill set that he brings to competition, allowing him to mesh his two passions in pursuit of victory.
“I wouldn’t say I naturally look for it, but subconsciously I kind of see angles and notice where the guy is standing and things like that,” Embrey said. “It’s a big part of tennis in general.”
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MIC tournament
When: Today, 6:10 p.m. and Saturday, 8:40 a.m.
Where: Ben Davis
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