Betsy Castellanos | Banner Lauren Hackett, sophomore graphic design and digital media major, returns the ball during an intense practice on Nov. 9.
Since 1992, the women’s volleyball team at California Baptist University has built its reputation in the NAIA and more recently, the NCAA. In 2014, the team produced an NCAA All-American in selection Lauren Hackett.
Hackett, sophomore graphic design and digital media major and outside hitter, was named the NCAA Division II Freshman of the Year for the 2014 season and recently received her second PacWest Player of the Week honor.
This season she has made an impact on the success of the team and it showed in their PacWest run Oct. 22-24 against Brigham Young University at Hawaii, 3-1, Hawaii Pacific University, 3-2, and the University of Hawaii at
Hilo, 1-3.
The Lancers finished with a 2-1 record on the weekend and Hackett earned
recognition.
Hackett said she feels motivated by the opportunity to play on such a great team.
“I feel blessed with the opportunity,” Hackett said. “I just feel super, super lucky.”
Branden Higa, head coach of the women’s volleyball team, said he has especially seen what a special player she is.
“What everyone looks at is she can really attack the ball,” Higa said. “She’s a big force offensively, but what people don’t see is that she plays all six rotations for us. She passes, plays defense, has developed into a very good server and blocks. She’s a big piece.”
Higa stressed how much she has improved since the start of her volleyball career at CBU.
“The neat thing about Lauren is that she is continuing to get better,” Higa said. “For Lauren, the sky is the limit for her.”
