At some time, someone up in the Denver Metro area definitely saw her playing...somewhere.
But apparently at least one person forgot where on the floor Emily Bauer was usually found - something amusing to Bayfield head coach Terene Foutz when told one of her seniors had received a statewide salute.
"The CHSAA All State Selections are perplexing to us in the IML," she humorously quipped in an e-mail. "They listed Emily as an outside hitter - a position she has not played for three years."
But a position which she learned to read, analyze, and - often times in spectacular fashion - stop as the Wolverines' libero. Credited with 316 digs in 2015, Bauer upped her skills and came up with an awesome 413 (5.1 per game in BHS' 27 matches) in '16. Her service-ace count rose from 23 to 30, and her overall stock did also.
Named Second Team All-Intermountain last year, she earned First Team All-IML this year as well as a Second Team All-3A nod as Bayfield finished 10-0 in the IML and 23-4 overall.
"We are a large family! But small at the same time," Bauer had said on Senior Night about BHS volleyball and the small school. "I have matured a lot and have learned to perfect things." That included executing 859 digs in three varsity seasons.
"Emily's maturity at the libero position was an incredible journey to watch unfold," Foutz said. "She played the volleyball of her life headed into and throughout the playoff season. Her defense at the middle back position was stellar - especially at the CHSAA State Championships. We are incredibly proud of her."
Somewhat snubbed in the selections was Bayfield senior Maddi Foutz. Named Honorable Mention All-3A, but a four-time First Team All-IML and its Player of the Year in '15 and '16, the Colorado State University-bound outside hitter smashed 245 kills (3.0 per game) at a .297 rate, came up with a Bauer-like 395 digs (4.9 per) and fired 55 aces.
In those categories, Foutz totaled 683 kills, 1,430 digs and 284 aces during her BHS career.
"Maddi competes very intensely and deliberately, showcased by her efforts both at the net and in the back court," said her mom Terene Foutz, voted the Intermountain's Coach-of-the-Year. "Her passion for the game comes alive in clutch matches; that's when she plays her best. She's a fierce competitor. The double-doubles she posted this season were contributed in our toughest matches, the championship matches."
Maddi Foutz was a top-six pick for the Colorado Coaches of Girls' Sports All-State (3A) Game, but could not attend the Nov. 20 event at Arvada West H.S. due to a prior engagement.
"She was on her official visit on CSU campus that weekend," Terene Foutz said. "She has been invited to play in the Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State Games in June, which we are considering.
"She might be in summer school session up in Fort Collins during that time, however."
Bayfield junior middle Jade Pascale and junior setter Courtney Bayles led the Second Team All-IML recipients.
"Courtney...took Bayfield offense to another level," Foutz said proudly of her setter, who logged 753 assists (Alamosa senior Micalyn Carpenter was closest with 468), served 48 aces and used her 5'9" height to book 57 total blocks. "She executed beautifully at conducting a very fast net game. We fully expect Courtney to put on a show her senior season; she creates opportunities for our attackers at the highest level."
Pascale not only equaled junior Ashley Mottin's team-high 87 rejections, but also downed 192 kills at a strong .309 clip - showing an ability to attack from either the middle or outside.
"Jade can contribute anywhere on court as she has the skill set," the coach said. "Her blocking was tremendous, and her open-net kills can be heard reverberating throughout the gym. I predict Jade will be a top contender for IML Player-of-the-Year next season. She continues to be fierce; she wouldn't have it any other way."
BHS junior right-side Kylee McCoy (176 k, 67 blk) was an Honorable Mention All-IML choice.
"Kylee McCoy was central this season," Foutz said. "Her blocking was so reliable, so absolute, that she put our system defense in a fantastic read position all season. She developed a taste for slowing down any OH across the net from her, and was assigned to the top opponent OH every match."
"She also can attack any tempo or location ball at the MH or RS position - an extremely talented player."
