Personal Statement

Hello! I’m Lauren Hager and I am a 6’2” middle/ right side hitter from Columbia, Missouri. I’m a versatile player in that I have experience at all three hitting positions. Currently, I’m driving three nights a week to Lee’s Summit (Kansas City), Missouri to play for Invasion 18 Black. Last year our team finished 3^rd in the Open Division at the USAV National Championships. Several of my teammates have committed to play at very high level DI schools and I would like to do the same. I’m seeking a school where I can make an impact on a competitive team while getting a great education.

In high school I have taken multiple AP and honors courses to prepare me to succeed academically in college. My commitment to developing as a volleyball player involves spending 18 hours a week traveling and practicing (as I’ve done for the past two years) which makes it challenging to stay on top on of school work. I have had to sacrifice many things like extracurricular activities and make school a priority in order to play volleyball at the elite level. When I’m not playing, traveling, or studying I love to be outdoors with my family (especially at the beach!), or going on adventures with my friends and leaders from our school’s Young Life club. I love going to the movies, and I’m a big fan of football movies like The Blind Side and Remember the Titans (my favorite movie of all time).

I’m drawn to athletics as well as supporting and encouraging others to reach their goals, thus I plan to pursue a degree in a field such as athletic training, physical therapy, kinesiology, or nutrition and fitness. Following the career of my former club coach, Molly Kreklow, has inspired me to set a goal of playing internationally after college. I look forward to seeing where this incredible volleyball journey can take me!