December Edition
Catching up with Lauren Sears - Class of 2008
Lauren Sears, Virginia Elite Class of 2008, is one of the starting middle blockers for the University of Southern Mississippi, a D-I School in Hattiesburg, MS, and a member of Conference USA. She is a three year veteran of Virginia Elite and played on three straight regional championship squads from 2006-2008. In her first season at Southern Mississippi, she was selected to Conference USA's All-Freshman Team. Southern Miss qualified for the Conference USA Volleyball Tournament and was defeated by Marshall University in the first round. After her stellar freshman season, Lauren spent some time to answer some questions for the Virginia Elite Alumni Association.
Virginia Elite Alumni Association (VEAA): What was it like playing in your first college match?
Lauren Sears ('08): It was AMAZING! I was scared to death, but excited all at the same time. I was so nervous, the first ball I hit went sailing out of bounds. Ha ha! After that things got better though and I played pretty well.
Lauren Sears ('08): It was AMAZING! I was scared to death, but excited all at the same time. I was so nervous, the first ball I hit went sailing out of bounds. Ha ha! After that things got better though and I played pretty well.
VEAA: What was your reaction when coaching announced you as being a starter?
LS ('08): At our first tournament the night before our first game our coach called us in to watch video on the other team. At the end of this meeting he listed off all the starters for the next day. And I was shocked to find out I was one of them. I had been working hard at every practice hoping to earn a spot. As soon as I got back to my hotel room I called my parents to tell them that I would be starting the next day.
VEAA: What it is like playing for a former Olympian?
LS ('08): It was very cool. You would look at him and be like "Wow! He was the starting setter on the Olympic team and WON". We could go to a tournament or game anywhere in the country and he would have someone who knew him and was a fan and would come talk to him. A couple of people asked for his autograph. One of the most memorable days of practice this year was when we finally convinced him to bring his gold medal to practice. We took pictures with him and his medal and also us with his medal. I touched an Olympic gold medal, how cool is that?!?! Ha ha!
VEAA: Describe the feeling of being announced to the All-Freshman Team for Conference USA?
LS ('08): I couldn't believe it at first. I was like, "Did they just say my name?" It took a few seconds for it to register, but once it did it was the best feeling. It felt so good to know that all my hard work this past season paid off.
VEAA: How did VA Elite prepare you for college volleyball?
LS ('08): VA Elite was the best club I could have asked for. They gave me so many opportunities to improve as a player. The intense workouts and mentality prepared me the most. The idea of going into the gym and training everyday like you are training for a National championship really helped me in college. Not only did they prepare me mentally, but they also prepared me physically. One of my greatest strengths as a hitter is being able to hit shots and VA Elite helped me improve those. I also got some work in the back row which helped because, if you serve against a D1 school, then you have to be able to play defense against them. And with VA Elite's help I held my own in the back court.
VEAA: Was it a difficult adjustment by going to a school so far away from home?
LS ('08): I really didn't have any difficulty adjusting to a school so far away. When I moved in I immediately started preseason, so I was too busy to feel homesick. Then, I started school and made some friends and slowly Hattiesburg began to feel like a home to me. There was only one night when I got really homesick and it was in the middle of the semester, random I know. But, I called my parents the next day and I felt much better. The fact that my parents came to some of my games helped me a lot also. Even if I only got to see them for one day, it made me feel like I was at home again.
VEAA: What's been the greatest experience of your college career so far?
LS ('08): The greatest experience of my college career was probably being announced to the All-Freshman Team. The last day of camp during this past summer I told my coach I had two goals for the season. The first was to be a starter and the second was to make the Conference All-Freshman Team. And being able to achieve both those goals was awesome.
VEAA: What are you looking forward to the most during the offseason?
LS ('08): Off season? What off season? ;) I will be training everyday at home on my own. But, the thing I am looking forward to most is seeing my friends, family, and VA Elite family again. I have missed everyone so much and I cannot wait to see everyone and catch up with how they have been.
