IRVINE, Calif. - The 2017-18 UC Irvine women's basketball team will feature 10 newcomers with five true freshmen and five returning redshirts suiting up in an Anteater uniform for the first time. Fans can get to know each of these student-athletes through our Meet the Newcomers series which continues this week with freshman guard Autumn Baumgartner.




#24 AUTUMN BAUMGARTNER
Year: Redshirt Freshman
Position: Guard
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Coburg, Ore. (Georgetown/Sheldon HS)
Major: Sociology


1. All in the Family
Autumn didn't have much of a choice when it came to basketball as a kid; her brothers played and her mom coached them, so it was no surprise that she got started at a young age. But, despite the fact that basketball was a family affair in the Baumgartner household, it wasn't Autumn's favorite sport growing up.
 
"I played soccer and actually liked it more than basketball for a long time," Baumgartner said. "Then, in sixth grade I realized I didn't really enjoy soccer anymore, so I quit and just focused on basketball."
 
Once she was in middle school and set on pursuing basketball, she started to take it more seriously. She began training with a family friend, who is still like a brother to her, and she credits him with helping her improve her game.
 
"He went to a small university in Oregon, so I'd always be in the gym training with him every day since sixth grade," Baumgartner said. "I don't think I'd be here without him."
 
From that point on, it was her goal to get a Division I scholarship, but she was the first one in her family to pursue a collegiate career, so the recruiting process was something completely new to them.
 
"My parents and I had no clue what to do," Baumgartner said. "I didn't know what questions to ask or anything, but my AAU coach helped me out a lot. She knew the ins-and-outs of everything. I owe a lot to her because she definitely worked the strings for me, especially getting me here."
 
 
2. The Transfer
Being a family-oriented person, it was hard for Autumn, who is from Oregon, to make the decision to sign with Georgetown in Washington D.C. But, it was an opportunity she had worked hard for and knew it was something she had to experience first-hand.

"It took a really long time for me to mentally wrap my head around it, but I knew I would have to do it and see what it was like; it was my choice," Baumgartner said.

It only took one summer session for Autumn to realize she wouldn't be happy with that choice and she moved back home before joining the Anteaters prior to the 2016 fall quarter.

"I was looking for a better fit and to be closer to home," Baumgartner said. "Being all the way across the country was hard.

"One of the big reasons I chose to come to UC Irvine was because of the coaches. It's a family atmosphere and I know they have my best interest at heart, and that outside of basketball they will be looking out for my future."
 
 
3. Big Time Goals
It was tough on Autumn sitting out last year due to the NCAA transfer rule. Only being able to practice was hard, but she also had quite the support group.

"Having the four other transfers with me helped me out a lot," Baumgartner said. "During practice, they were there to pick me up. It was always our group together, so they would build me up if I was tumbling down."

Now, with the season quickly approaching, Autumn is chomping at the bit to play in her first collegiate game, and start the process of reaching her goals for the 2017-18 season.

"I want to get freshman of the year in conference," Baumgartner said. "That's my personal goal. I told the coaches that last year and they said there's going to be big competition, but I want to make it happen. For the team, I want to get a better record, be over .500 and win the Big West Tournament."
 
 
MORE ABOUT AUTUMN…
Hobbies off the court
I'm a really outdoorsy person, so I love kayaking, hiking, going to the lake or river - that kind of stuff.
 
Favorite basketball player
Kobe Bryant
 
What is one thing you really worked on during the offseason?
My ball-handling skills. Going from high school to the DI level is challenging; the competition is way higher. Even just practicing with our team last year, I thought my ball-handling was strong, but coming to this level, I realized it's not as strong as it needs to be. So, I was in the gym working on that and of course shooting.
 
Favorite movie
I don't think I have a favorite, but I do really love Disney movies and scary movies.
 
Dream vacation destination
Somewhere tropical



MEET THE NEWCOMERS SERIES
Dani Guglielmo
Deijah Blanks
Haleigh Talbert
Yazzy Sa'Dullah
Tahlia Garza
Morgan Green
Jordan Sanders
Lauren Saiki