BRUIN BESTIES: Twin Falls seniors Ava Martin and Skylar Westburg sign to play college volleyball
The two have been best friends since they were little and were thrilled to share the moment together.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — It’s always a special day to sign to continue pursuing sports at the collegiate level.
What makes it even better? Signing next to your best friend.
That was the case for Twin Falls seniors Ava Martin and Skylar Westburg who signed to play college volleyball.
Martin is off to Utah State and Westburg will play at the University of Providence (Montana).
“It’s a surreal moment,” Martin said. “I didn’t think I’d be in this position as a kid.”
Both athletes were All-Conference members this season.
“I’m thrilled and filled with joy,” Westburg said. “My friends and coaches helped me realize volleyball was the sport I wanted to pursue in college.”
The two have been best friends since they were little and were thrilled to share the moment together.
“I’m so glad we did together because it brought in the same crowd of people who would’ve been for me or there for her,” Martin explained. “It was so nice to have her go through our speeches together and someone to lean on.”
Westburg echoed the statement.
“After she came back to (to Twin Falls High School) I was so excited and I’m so glad I could do this journey with her,” Westburg said. “Although we’re not going to the same place, I know we’re going to stay close and friends and support each other as much as we can.
These two were instrumental in helping the Bruins to a Great Basin Championship and a 5A state title as the Cinderella No. 8 seed.
Martin was a Great Basin second team member in 2024 with her first full season at Twin Falls.
She transferred from Canyon Ridge after volleyball season last year.
“I’ve loved my senior year here with the Bruins and happy I could be with the team to accomplish everything we did,” Martin said. “I also enjoy I could be here with my brother to graduate with them.”
Martin visited Utah State and fell in love with them over the summer. She instantly knew the Aggies were for her.
“The coaches and the atmosphere are incredible. I can tell I’m going to fit in,” Martin told KMVT. “I also enjoy how close it is to home. I get homesick so glad I’m not too far away from family.”
Westburg was also a conference second-team member as a senior.
She fell in love with the University of Providence (Montana) as the community reminded her of Twin Falls.
Westburg also noted there was a certain energy in the community.
“It felt like home since the second I got there,” Westburg explained. “The coaches were great and the team has a good energy that I wanted to be a part of.”
While she’s excited to play in college, she’ll always remember her senior season capturing a state title.
“We had the players and coaches to put everything together and we did just that,” Westburg said. “We played in a way I’d never seen before and it was amazing to be in that moment.”
Copyright 2024 KMVT. All rights reserved.
