MOORE HAVEN — Terriers had plenty of tears April 25 as the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Preslynn Baker made her college decision.

With her parents at her side and four white volleyballs in front of her – each bearing the logo of her final potential college destinations – Baker picked up the ball that will take the Moore Haven High School standout to Earlham College, an NCAA Division III school in Richmond, Indiana.

The signing ceremony at Glades County Auditorium on the school campus was filled with emotion as tears flowed from the eyes of Baker, her parents Mona and Preston, her sister Jaryaca, teammates, coaches and school staff. Baker, who is the youngest of nine siblings, was so overwhelmed with emotion that she had her friend, teammate and fellow tribal member Tahnia Billie read her speech.

In the speech, Baker – through Billie – thanked her family, including her parents who have been her coaches in softball and volleyball at the youth and high school levels. She also thanked her other coaches, teammates and friends. In an interview before her senior night game April 16, Baker recalled being about 5 years old and attending Jaryaca’s senior night as a softball player for Okeechobee High School. Jaryaca, who is 13 years older than Preslynn, also had a signing ceremony, went on to play softball in college and now has children.

Preslynn said one reason she wanted to play sports in college is to continue to be a role model for her nieces and nephews.

“Since the oldest – Coco – was born, I’ve always wanted to be the best I can be for him, and then more kept coming. So I’m like I’ll keep doing it for all of them,” she said.

Baker selected Earlham over Allen University, Millennia Atlantic University and Warner University. Baker, a three-sport athlete throughout her Terrier career and at Native American tournaments, will play volleyball and softball at Earlham. She’ll bring versatility, having played setter, outside hitter and right-side hitter in volleyball, and pitcher, first baseman, third baseman and outfield in softball.

Last fall, she helped lead the Terriers to their best volleyball season ever with a 17-3 record and a trip to the state semifinals. She also played basketball at Moore Haven.

In softball, Baker has been a standout pitcher since she started playing for the Terriers. She is a clean up batter who has crushed home runs, usually leaving no doubt as to whether the ball is going to go over the fence or not.

First impressions made a big impression on Baker during her visit to Earlham as she enjoyed touring the campus and meeting players from the volleyball and softball teams.

“It’s very nice, very beautiful. It has all four seasons, which I’m excited about,” Baker said. “I loved the girls; they were so sweet, so welcoming. It was a nice visit. I knew once I got there and I met the girls, this is where I’m going.”

Earlham is in eastern Indiana – right on the border of Ohio – between Indianapolis and Dayton.

Baker’s career interest is to be a sports trainer for on the pro level. She already has a head start on her college academics. She will graduate May 2 with an associate’s degree from Florida SouthWestern State College through a studies program offered at the high school. Three weeks later she will graduate with her high school classmates, and then, later this summer, she’ll leave her home on the Brighton Reservation and head to the Midwest to begin her Earlham career.

“I’m excited about meeting new people,” she said.

Before she signed the paperwork at the ceremony, a few of her teammates, former coaches – including Dallas Nunez – school staff and her sister Jaryaca came up on stage and spoke about how much Baker has meant to them and how much she will be missed. In keeping with the evening’s theme, tears came from just about every speaker.