The busy 21-year-old has been bogged down with study and a hectic sporting schedule which has seen her represent her country in two sports.
But the talented midcourter will finally make her Otago debut when the province opens its national championship campaign against Wellington in Porirua today.
Unfortunately, for the region, it will also be her last season in blue and gold.
The University of Otago graduate will leave Dunedin at the end of the academic year to take up a position with Cameron Partners Investment Bank in either Auckland or Wellington, whatever city she chooses.
Netball, and a spot in an extended squad of either the Northern Mystics or the Central Pulse, may help her make up her mind where she will start her new life.
"Both provinces have been quite responsive about training partner opportunities," Close said.
"So I have to decide and talk more with them.
I'm leaning towards Auckland because my sister is up there, and I interned there over summer with another investment bank and really enjoyed the lifestyle.
"It is weird to think I won't be in Dunedin next year, and to play for another province is going to be really odd."
Close first stepped on to a court when she was about 10 years old but it was during her secondary school years at Rangi Ruru Girls' School in Christchurch and under the watchful gaze of Brenda Rowberry - Anna Stanley's mother - that she found her calling.
"Brenda was great. She was sort of a bit like Georgie Salter [Former Rebels and Otago coach] in terms of an old school approach.
"She was just so passionate about the game."
Close played alongside Pulse defender Bessie Manu at school and when she moved to Dunedin in 2007, coach Janine Southby picked her for the Otago Rebels.
With experienced midcourters Phillipa Finch, Debbie White and Megan Graamans also in the squad, her contribution was limited to watching from the bench.
For the last two years, she has been picked in the New Zealand under-21 team, has also featured for Otago in the Lois Muir Challenge and age group campaigns, and has been one of the linchpins in a powerful University Albion side which won back-to-back club titles.
In 2007, she represented New Zealand at the touch world cup in South Africa.
So it is fair to say her dance card has been pretty full during the past four years.
Close is not the only Otago player leaving this year.
Goal keep Jess Moulds has signed with the Northern Mystics and is moving to Auckland, and "one or two of the other girls" may also leave the region, Close said.
Playing together one last time is "a really good incentive to do well", she added.
"We've got a really good team culture. All the girls have played with each other either at club level or at under-21 level.
"Everyone just gets on and I really think that that is going to count when it matters.
"I think we've got a really good chance of making the top four and even pushing for the top two. But we're definitely the underdogs."
Otago got a reality check against Canterbury last month.
The Cantabrians boasted a powerful squad which closely resembled the Tactix line-up and dispatched Otago in both warm-up matches.
Close was unavailable and missed the fixtures, however she was not discouraged by the results her team achieved in her absence.
"They've been playing together all season, whereas when we played them that was our first match together. So there were good and bad things about it."
The first grade is split into two divisions of six teams.
Each team will play each other in a round robin with the top four teams in division one going on to the semifinals, which will be staged in Auckland next month.
The defending champion Auckland-Waitakere looks formidable again, but relies heavily on experienced shooter Cathrine Latu.
Southland and Canterbury are arguably more complete teams.
Canterbury has class throughout its squad with Maree Bowden providing snappy links between the likes of up and coming defender Charlotte Kight and improving shooter Ellen Halpenny.
Southland has quality at both ends with Steel back-up shooter Julianna Naoupu expected to shine and defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit fresh from an outstanding season with the Steel.
Wellington earned promotion to the top division last year and will be keen to consolidate its place.
It is likely to be competitive with the likes of Western and Otago but could struggle against the competition's heavyweights.
Western is arguably the weakest of the top six and will look to New Zealand under-21 defender Jodi Beaumont and shooter Amber Bellringer for some momentum.
In the second division, North, Waikato and Bay of Plenty will jostle for the right to play in the promotion-relegation match.
Otago's draw
Where and when
September 4: v Wellington, Porirua
September 11: v Canterbury, Dunedin
September 19: v Western, Dunedin
September 26: v Southland, Invercargill
September 30: v Auckland-Waitakere, Auckland
October 1-2: Playoffs and finals
The contenders
OTAGO
2009: Fourth
Prospects: Youthful side with a strong defence and an athletic midcourt. Might struggle to compete with the likes of Canterbury and Southland.
Key players: Underrated defender Louise Thayer and busy Southern Steel midcourter Hayley Saunders.
Squad: Louise Thayer, Jaimee Power, Hannah Broederlow, Jess Moulds, Claire Kersten, Emily Close, Shannon Francois, Debbie Hill, Hayley Saunders, Kirsten Craig, Greir Campbell, Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Coach: Deb Tasi-Cordtz
SOUTHLAND
2009: Second
Prospects: Experience and class throughout. Expect Southland to feature at the business end of the competition.
Key players: Steel back-up shooter Julianna Naoupu and vastly improved Steel defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.
Co-coach: Jo Cunningham and Reinga Te Huia
CANTERBURY
2009: Third
Prospects: Smoked Otago in two pre-season games and shape as one of the early favourites alongside defending champion Auckland-Waitakere and Southland.
Key players: Classy centre/wing attack Maree Bowden and athletic goal keep Charlotte Kight.
Coach: Tania Hoffman
WELLINGTON
2009: Promoted from division two
Prospects: Might surprise some of the better teams but perhaps lack the personnel to press for the title.
Key players: Experienced midcourter Francis Solia and highly-rated shooter Te Amo Amaru-Tibble.
Coach: Gail Parata
WESTERN
2009: Fifth
Prospects: Honest side but are likely to be outclassed by the stronger sides.
Key Players: Promising defender Jodi Beaumont and 20-year-old shooter Amber Bellringer.
Coach: Jenni Brewer
AUCKLAND-WAITAKERE
2009: Champion
Prospects: Strong side but perhaps missing another quality defender. Top four at very least.
Key players: Cathrine Latu is the best shooter at the tournament and Rachel Rasmussen will lead the defensive effort.
