BASKETBALL

Senior spotlight: Carley Elmhorst's attitude reflects on Colby basketball

Tim Johnson
Marshfield News-Herald

COLBY – Carley Elmhorst might not have the top individual statistics for the Colby girls basketball team, but there is little doubt she is one of the Hornets' leaders.  

Carley Elmhorst is averaging 12.7 points per game so far this winter for the Colby girls basketball team.

"She has been a positive influence both on the court and off," Colby coach Randy Rau said of the senior guard. "She has been one of the leaders as far as getting the girls to the weight room during the summer. She has the ability to get her teammates (to follow) because she has such a great positive attitude. I think that has transferred among everybody (on the team)."

A four-year varsity player, Elmhorst is one of four seniors on the team and a tri-captain. She is averaging 12.7 points per game for the Hornets, who are off to a 5-1 start. Her scoring output is just over five points higher per game than last season. 

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"She is looking to shoot the ball a little more (this season)," Rau said. "She always was more of a role player (in the past). She was always able to shoot the ball and this year she has taken a little more initiative in wanting to score."

Elmhorst, who also is a member of Colby's volleyball and track teams, recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about the start of the season, her interests outside of school and sports, and the animal she would like to swim with someday, among other topics. 

Do you have a nickname?

Well, my teammates call me, "Car." That is about it. 

What would you say your most memorable sports moment has been?

Last year, when we played Cameron in the regional finals. It came down to the last few seconds and we lost but it was still memorable. 

Outside of sports, is there something people might not know about you?

I am in show choir and madrigals and really enjoy that. I also show pigs at the fair and have a lot of fun doing that. 

Do you have any pregame superstitions or traditions?

I always stretch with (teammate) Ashley Streveler. She is in the same sports (volleyball, basketball and track) with me. 

Colby reached a regional final game last year. Did that run kind of build the foundation for the returning players this season?

We definitely have our goals set high. Our first game, we faced Columbus (Catholic) and it didn't go exactly how we wanted it to. We decided to build off that (performance) and I think we have improved a lot already and we're still improving. 

What did you learn from that loss to Columbus Catholic?

I think it got us into the right mindset that we still have a long way to go before we get to the place where we were last year, and the work we have to put in to get where we want to be. 

What does being a captain mean to you?

I think it is important to be a good leader and be supportive of everybody. I've seen it happen to so many people where they shut down when there is negative stuff going down. I try and be as positive as I can. 

If you could travel anywhere, where is your dream destination?

Bora Bora. I have seen the pictures and that's where I want to go some day.

What is a dream career?

Well, now that I have talked about Bora Bora, I have seen photos of people swimming with pigs in the ocean, which is kind of weird but it would be fun to be in charge of that. I have thought about that and being a goat farmer with my dad. 

FAVORITES 

Sport: Honestly, it depends on which one I am in at the time

Pro or college athlete: Clay Matthews 

Music artist or group: Shania Twain or Carrie Underwood. They are my idols. 

Movie: It's Christmas season so I would say "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." "Matilda" is a classic one, too. 

TV show: "Grey's Anatomy"

Food or meal: Strawberries dunked in chocolate.