The current population of Ida Grove is listed at slightly more than 2,000 people as of July 2009. Atlanta had a recorded population of more than 420,000, according to the 2010 census. As of Monday night, Kelsey Bolte will be going from one population extreme to the other.

While Bolte still has to make the roster, she was thrilled when, after an hour and a half wait, she was selected 32nd overall to the WNBA’s 2010 runner-up Atlanta Dream.

Bolte said she had a feeling that she would be a late third-round pick, but as the names were called during the third round, she started to have some doubts about her chances.

“When I saw my name scroll along the bottom and heard her announce it, it was great,” Bolte said. “I’m so excited to have the opportunity and it was kind of a relief when I saw it because there was so much pressure.”

She will soon be going through the experience of once again being the rookie on the team and having to earn her way on the roster, much like her freshman year at Iowa State. This time, she is an even smaller fish in much bigger pond.

Upon graduation, Bolte will leave for training camp early in the second week of May. She hasn’t met any of hear teammates yet, but is looking forward to getting comfortable with the team atmosphere when she leaves for training camp.

However, she did receive a phone call from Dream coach Marynell Meadors on Tuesday.

“It was great to finally be able to talk to her and get to know her,” Bolte said. “I had never talked to her before, so her calling me made it that much more real and exciting.”

Since finishing her ISU career, Bolte has been focusing on getting ready for training camp by continuing her strength, conditioning and shooting workouts at the Cyclones’ Sukup basketball practice facility. She also recently finished second in the women’s NCAA 3-point contest in Houston.

Bolte has received some advice from WNBA player and former Cyclone Alison Lacey. Lacey came back to Ames to workout in the off-season and told Bolte about the short season and hectic travel schedule.

“It’s a lot of traveling and a lot of living out of a suitcase,” Bolte said.

Bolte hopes to play beyond college no matter what, saying she is also considering playing overseas if the WNBA doesn’t work out.