Ex-Poway High volleyball star on national junior team

By Pat Kumpan

Lauren Plum, a Poway High alumna with an impressive record as a setter for the University of Oregon volleyball team, will be joining the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team in Peru July 20-31.

Oregon’s Lauren Plum was the 2009 Palomar League player of the year as a Poway High Titan. Photo by Geoff Thurner

Plum, a freshman this year with the “Ducks,” has settled in with what she describes as “very young” team, yet her first year at Oregon has been in a word —“amazing,” she said.

“I love my coaches, my team and everyone’s been very supportive. I know I have a long way to go,” Plum said.

“They knew I was coming off an injury (senior year at Poway High), but I’ve had an amazing trainer,” she added.

Plum broke the fibula in her left leg during 2009 and was benched for most of the season. Recovery took about eight months, but she stayed focused on rehab and getting back in the game.

The 2010 Titan grad was named the 2008 Palomar League player of the year in the San Diego area and comes from a family of female volleyball players, her mom and two sisters.

“I wanted a PAC-10 school, and UO is the right fit,” Plum said.

Prior to leaving for Peru, Plum and others on the WJNT (U-20)team will be training July 10-19 at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., under head coach Rob Browning, who also serves as Saint Mary’s head women’s volleyball coach.

Plum, along with five others are new to the juniors national team, including outside hitters Moneshia Simmons, Clemson University; Madison Kingdon, University of Arizona; and Haley Eckerman, University of Texas. Middle blocker Sallie McLaurin, University of Oklahoma; and libero/defensive specialist Natalie Hagglund, University of Southern California, have also been selected.

Plum and Alaina Bergsma, also a “Duck,” will compete on the A2 National Team in the USA Volleyball Open National Championships at the end of May in Dallas.

Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=12498

Posted by patkumpan on May 25 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry