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  • Emily Baumann, Traverse City West's new volleyball coach, watches drills during a summer camp. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump

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July 21, 2012

Baumann resumes West post

She begins her 2nd tenure with Titans

BY MIKE ECKERT meckert@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Plenty has changed for Emily (Lovejoy) Baumann since she last coached volleyball at Traverse City West.

After stepping down for a job promotion following the 2007 season, she married Doug Baumann and the two have a young daughter, Ellianna.

"I was right out of college the last time I coached," Baumann said. "I think I was a little younger, so I've grown up a bit. I'm really excited, in my stage of life, to be back coaching again. It means more to you now that you're a little bit older."

She's back at her former post and ready to get going again with the Titans.

"I'm really excited," Baumann said. "I definitely missed being a part of the program and the volleyball community. So I'm super excited to be back in the swing of things."

Baumann, a 2001 TC West grad who went on to start at Central Michigan, replaces Lisa Placek, who took over the program when Baumann left in 2007. Placek resigned this winter and later pled guilty to a sex crime.

In her first stint at TC West, Baumann had plenty of success. The Titans won the Big North Conference and a district title each year Baumann coached, reaching the Class A state semifinals in 2006.

While Baumann set the bar pretty high, she wouldn't have it any other way.

"I'm one of those people that expects a lot out of everything I put myself forth in," Baumann said. "I put that kind of pressure on myself in every situation. This West program has always been really strong, so I don't think anybody expects anything less."

TC West returns a number of players from last fall, including sophomore Katie Placek — a Class A All-State honorable mention last year as a freshman. Baumann also expects a big year from senior hitter Courtney VanHouzen.

"Courtney played club this year and she improved a lot," Baumann said. "I'm expecting a lot out of her this year."

Baumann is joined by assistants Becky Mead and her younger sister, Lydia Lovejoy.

"Becky was there the first time I coached, so she's stayed in the program the entire time," Baumann said.

Lydia Lovejoy previously played for Baumann. And she's in her second year as an assistant.

"My little sister was the assistant coach last year, so I did get to go up there, meet them and play with them," Baumann said. "I got to know where most of them were."

Practice begins Aug. 8 and the Titans open the season at Suttons Bay on Aug. 18.

"I expect the same thing I expected when I left, honestly," Baumann said. "We have a good conference, and I expect us to be on top again. I don't expect anything less. I'm not a big person who likes to lose."

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