FIVE RETURN TO TRAPPER VOLLEYBALL

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

Five players are set to return under new leadership for the Northwest College volleyball team, as four players from last year's team in addition to one returning from the 2023-24 squad will look to make an impact on the Trapper squad.

The four players returning from last year's squad are Aidann Mottishaw, Taylee Carlson, Kenzie Fields and Ellie Baumstarck, while Trinity Frank will return to the Trappers after a year away from the team.

"It's a small group, but it's a really good group full of talent, full of really good leadership skills," coach Nicole Buck said.

The top returner for the Trappers is Mottishaw, who is a 6 foot tall player from Idaho Falls, Idaho. She featured in 29 matches last season, recording 243 kills along with 305 assists while rotating between a right side hitter and a setter.

"Aidann I'm really excited about. I think she's really developed as a leader on the court," Buck said. "I think she's really excited to just keep working on that."

Carlson is the next Trapper returning with experience, as she is a 5 foot, 10 inch middle blocker from Blackfoot, Idaho.

She featured in 17 matches last season, recording 27 kills and 27 total blocks.

"Taylee has really worked on a few different positions. She's going to come back in for us really well-rounded," Buck said. "She also just turned into a really good leader and someone we can really count on on and off the court."

Baumstarck is the final Trapper returning with experience from last season, as the 6 foot, 3 inch Worland product will return to Powell for her sophomore year.

Despite injuries, Baumstarck featured in 15 matches last year and recorded 12 kills and 17 total blocks.

"Ellie has been injured a lot so we haven't seen as much from her. But obviously you can't teach that kind of height, and she's got a lot of really good talents in there that we're excited to get access to," Buck said.

Frank and Fields both return to the Trappers as defensive specialists, with Frank featuring in 12 games two seasons ago from Red Lodge, while Fields, a 2024 Powell High School grad, served as the manager a season ago while training with the program.

Buck said she is excited to have those two return to the program to help set the standard and help lead a large group of incoming freshmen.

"Kenzie and Trinity both just bring so much positive energy. They're incredible teammates, always taking care of people first. Taking the new kids on a tour, first to make sure everyone's doing well," Buck said.

With Buck stepping into the head coaching position for her inaugural season, she is hopeful this group will set the standard for the future of the program and bring a positive mentality to Northwest.

"They've already surpassed my expectations. I just really expect them to build the program that they want to have. When you're going through so many new changes and there's a lot of turnover and there's a new coach, you have such an incredible opportunity to really make the program what you want it to be," Buck said. "That's what I've talked to them a lot about is identifying the things that they loved and using that information to shape this culture into what they think it should be. And I think they're the perfect kids to do so, because they are a really intelligent, really kind, hard working group of kids."

Northwest will take to the court on Aug. 1 for practices before competition starts later in the month.