Senior Lauren Herrera said she came to realize, while hosting Norwegian exchange students, that she wanted to get out of Southern California and travel the world. Scouted at Volleyball Nationals a few years ago in Florida, she has kept in constant contact with the coaches of Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire. Even though Herrera said she “never expected to like it or end up going there,” she admitted to eventually falling in love with the school. Despite its distant location, upon visiting it nine months after being scouted, she committed to the Division II college for volleyball this year.  Herrera said she plans on majoring in Sports Business Management.

Q: Was it your first choice to go to Franklin Pierce?

A: Originally, I actually wanted to stay in California, but [my family] hosted an exchange student and we’re hosting another one this year, and meeting them made me want to travel more. And while it’s not in another country, it’s still different. I’m ready for the seasons because we don’t have seasons here. It’s hot all the time. I’m scared I’m going to freeze, but hopefully not. I really want to study abroad and the D2 level lets you study abroad, so that was the draw for me. That’s my big desire.

Q: Why was attending a DII school a driving factor?

A: Basically, in Division One they kind of own you, so your life is centered around volleyball, and in Division Two you have more freedom, and I want to enjoy the other side of college.

Q: How long have you played volleyball for OPHS or in your life in general?

A: My first time actually touching a volleyball was for the eighth grade intramurals at Medea Creek, and after that I loved it. I actually quit soccer to play volleyball. I’d played soccer since I was five. The first team I was ever on was Oak Park froshsoph my freshman year. So, I haven’t been playing for that long compared to most people. I just found myself in soccer never wanting to go. I guess I kind of burned out. I was playing [soccer] 24/7, around the clock. Volleyball was this new thing that all my friends were doing, so of course I wanted to try it. It was just this totally different sport than I was used to. I feel like you have a tighter bond with people in the volleyball team because there are less people on the court, and you have this kind of trust, and I feel that more in volleyball than in other sports because everyone has an essential role in the game.

Q: What is the worst part of volleyball?

A: The knee injuries and the bruises you get for diving for balls. The physical pain that your body is in because you’re jumping so much and moving around a lot. We always have ice packs on our shoulders, knees, ankles and backs. We walk around [school] all bandaged up after each game. But my least favorite is this drill called “cross court pepper.” It sucks. There’s two sides and if [your team] can’t reach a specific number [of moves], then the coach will make you run suicides. One time we spent an entire practice on one drill and easily ran over a hundred lines.

Q: If you could have any celebrity on your volleyball team who would it be and why?

A: This pro beach volleyball player, Mariko Coverdale. She is such a baller, but she’s actually one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I got to play for her and she is hands down one of the best coaches I’ve ever had in my life. I like how she pushes me really hard. Without being pushed past your limit, you’ll never know how.