Makenzie Bartsch knew the day was coming.

But that didn't make it any less special for the Natrona County senior.

Bartsch on Wednesday signed her National Letter of Intent to play volleyball at the University of Wyoming.

"I've known about this for months," Bartsch said. "I would wake up every day and think about it.

"… Now that it's finally here I can't believe it."

The 6-foot-1 Bartsch led NC in kills and blocks this past season as the Fillies (28-5) won the Class 4A West regular-season and tournament titles. NC lost to Kelly Walsh in the state championship match on Nov. 1.

Bartsch will join a UW program that has struggled this season under first-year coach Carrie Yerty. The Cowgirls are 4-17 overall and 3-9 in the Mountain West Conference.

Bartsch, however, expects to be part of a resurgence for a team that hasn't had a winning season since going 20-11 in 2002.

"(UW's) rebuilding," she said. "I want to help put Wyoming back on top.

"When I went down there (on a recruiting trip) it felt like home. I've always wanted to play basketball or volleyball at the next level and now I get that chance."

Bartsch, a two-time all-state selection, will join a roster that includes Cheyenne East grad JennaRae Jester. In addition, KW's Emily Rochelle, the two-time 4A player of the year, is expected to sign with the Cowgirls today.

"I'm excited that UW is recruiting in-state kids," NC coach Sally Nichols said. "I think Makenzie will do a fantastic job there. She's an awesome kid.

"We installed some college-level plays for Makenzie this year and she did really well with them. The (UW) coaches said that they were impressed with her ability to attack off of one-foot takeoffs as well as her blocking ability."

Bartsch, who will attend summer school at UW, plans to major in pre-med with an emphasis on kinesiology.

An all-state basketball player last year, Bartsch hopes to help the Fillies get back to the state tournament before turning her full attention back to volleyball.

"Work out, work out, work out," Bartsch said of her anticipated offseason training regimen. "I need to get in shape and get ready."

Now Bartsch has something else to think about when she wakes up in the morning.

Contact sports editor Jack Nowlin at (307) 266-0528 or jack.nowlin@trib.com.