Dunn inks with Pittsburg State
Louisburg High School senior Lauren Dunn signed her letter of intent Wednesday to play volleyball at Pittsburg State University. Sitting next to Lauren are her parents Don and Janie Dunn. Standing is Louisburg High School volleyball coach Jessica Compliment.
When Lauren Dunn started thinking about where she wanted to play college volleyball, there was really only one school that stood out among the rest.
As it turns out, it is only about 80 miles down the road.
Dunn’s top choice became a reality Wednesday when she signed her letter of intent to play volleyball at Pittsburg State University.
“It was kind of a family thing for me,” Dunn said. “A lot of my family has gone there and I have always liked the school and the program.
“I ended up deciding last summer and the coaches and seniors that were there when I took my visit really welcomed me in. I got a chance to meet the freshmen that are playing there now and they are all a really nice group of girls. It is a lot of the same type of friendships there that I saw on our Louisburg team.”
Dunn, a senior, has had quite the career for the Louisburg High School volleyball program. She has participated in state tournaments all four years and has placed each time out.
As a sophomore, she helped the Lady Cats to a runner-up finish at the Class 4A-Division I state tournament. Louisburg also finished third place this past season and fourth the other two years.
It is those state tournament appearances that she hopes can propel her to a big career with the Gorillas.
“It has prepared me quite a bit,” Dunn said. “We have been to state the last four years so that has really helped with the experience of playing high, intense volleyball.”
For much of her Lady Cat career, she has played all-around the court and has thrived in the different spots.
Dunn, who was a first-team all-Frontier League player this past season, was among the team leaders in several different categories. She was second on the team with 389 digs, third in kills with 281 and third with 39 aces.
“The coaches have told me that they see me playing six rotations all the way around,” Dunn said. “I am just hoping that I can work hard enough to earn that six rotation spot when I get down there. There are seven freshmen playing down there now and there are five of us in this incoming class.”
The process wasn’t too difficult for Dunn who always had Pitt State in the front of the line and now she will get the opportunity to live out her dream.
“Lauren has always been 100 percent Pitt State,” Louisburg coach Jessica Compliment said. “I am so glad to see that she got what she wanted because that is what she has been working so hard for. I am happy to see what the next four years brings for them.”
Next fall Dunn will take the floor for the Division II Gorillas in the MIAA Conference. Along the way she will run into a couple familiar faces. She will play against former teammates Sydney Dixon (Fort Hays State) and Bailey Dvorak (Lindenwood) next season as both have completed their freshman seasons with their respective schools.
“I talked to them a little bit, but they have been pretty busy with their seasons,” Dunn said. “It will be different seeing them on the other side of the net because we played together for three years. I think it will be a lot of fun, but it will be different for sure.”
Pitt State is in the rebuilding process this season with seven freshmen this season and even more new players coming in for next year. It will be a lot of competition for Dunn to go against, but she is looking forward to the challenge.
“It is really exciting,” Dunn said. “I hope that I end up playing freshman year down there, but if not, I still think it is going to be a great experience for me. I am going to be learning from some of the best players down there.”
Lauren is the daughter of Don and Janie Dunn and she is planning on majoring in nursing or physical therapy.