Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WHS senior Ellianna Baumstarck (center) smiles after signing her letter of intent to play volleyball for Northwest College next fall. Pictured are, l-r, standing WHS AD Aaron Abel, sitting Wes Baumstrack, Ellianna Baumstarck and Kristi Baumstarck.
Worland High School senior Ellianna Baumstarck has signed her letter of intent to play volleyball for the Northwest College Trappers next fall.
Signing that letter of intent was years of hard work coming to fruition for Baumstarck.
"I'm so excited because that's been my goal ever since I started playing volleyball. I've always wanted to go on at play at a higher level," said Baumstarck. "It's a dream come true."
Baumstarck had considered playing for other colleges, but something felt right about playing for Northwest.
She is also the second member of her family to play volleyball for Northwest, her sister, Emily Baumstarck, played at Northwest and for head coach Scott Keister.
"My sister played at Northwest, and coach Keister kind of knew who I was. In my junior year at state volleyball, he was there watching the games. I emailed him after, and he contacted me back and said he was super excited, wanted me on his team, and invited me on a visit. I started looking at other places, but I just really wanted to go to Northwest," said Baumstarck.
In her senior year for Worland Lady Warrior volleyball, Baumstarck led the team in kills per set (2.6), total blocks (211), kills (274) and kill% (44.8).
During her Lady Warrior career, Baumstarck was a middle blocker. At Northwest, she's been told she might make a position switch to outside hitter.
No matter what position she plays, Baumstarck is determined to make the most of it, learn as much as she can, and ultimately play at a four-year college.
"I don't know if I'll be a middle because he's talked about liking my hitting and said he's thinking about moving me to an outside. I'm not sure where I'll play, but I know there will be new things I have to learn and experience. I'm just excited.
"My goal is to improve to the point where I can go on and play at a four-year. I just want to use this as a learning experience and hopefully get noticed by some bigger schools while I'm there," said Baumstarck.
