School pride is an important aspect of Lauryn Weber’s high school experience, herself an exceptional volleyball player for the Moore Lions.
“It brings students from all different backgrounds together for one shared passion,” Weber said. “During moments where we show school pride, there is a sense of belongingness throughout everyone involved, and I truly love it!”
In addition to playing volleyball, Weber’s a member of National Honor Society, FUSE and Moore Maniacs, the school’s organized student section.
“I get to participate in polls deciding themes for games, get others involved in school spirit activities and cheer on my fellow peers,” Weber said.
It’s something that has been impactful for Weber, who had a career year on the court this season.She was named second-team all-conference, all-tournament at the Heather Harkness Tournament hosted by Bishop McGuinness and was named the Lions’ defensive player of the year.
“I fell in love with [volleyball] from the very start,” Weber said. “I loved the challenge of trying something new and becoming part of a team for the first time was what had me sold.”
Weber started playing volleyball at 12 years old. She credits her mother.
“She has pushed me to be great and grow my love for the sport,” Weber said. “Before I started volleyball, I did taekwondo for 8 years, in which I earned my 2nd degree black belt, as well as tumbling for a few years.”
Both taekwondo and tumbling helped Weber learn discipline.
“Specifically, taekwondo has helped with footwork and reaction-timing,” Weber said.
The most challenging point of her career came when she tore her PCL before her sophomore season.
“I’m glad no surgery was involved, but being out for nationals my 15s year and some of my sophomore school season took a big mental toll,” Weber said.
Down on her luck, Weber lost her confidence, but only temporarily.
“I was able to persevere through this with committing to doing PT and doing what I could to keep my skill level there. I felt very unconfident for a while, but I realized this was an opportunity to look at volleyball through a different perspective,” Weber said. “My volleyball iQ grew through looking at both sides, in which I was able to help out my teammates. Eventually, I gained my confidence back knowing I had the ability to see more than just my side of the court.”
Weber, who never thought much about how long she’d play when she started, aspires now to play at the collegiate level. She began to hone in on her volleyball future freshman year.
“I started to buy into the process more and more, and I dreamed of playing at the next level,” Weber said. “My biggest aspirations are less in just my athletic ability, but also in how I make an impact on and off the court for the team I’m playing with.”
