In The Nest: Lauryn Hovey Looks Back On Impressive Freshman Campaign
Medical Mutual
7/12/2023
In her first season with the Falcons, freshman Lauryn Hovey collected numerous accolades, including MAC Freshman of the Year, MAC Tournament MVP, MAC All-Tournament Team, All-MAC First Team, MAC All-Freshman Team, AVCA All-Northeast Region Honorable Mention and four MAC Player of the Week awards. On top of that, Hovey logged three triple-doubles, being one of 10 players in the nation with three or more and one of just two freshmen to do so.
Q: We will lead off with a non-volleyball question. Are you doing anything fun or special this summer?
Hovey: This summer I went camping and I traveled to Montreal to visit my friend who lives there. At the end of the summer, I will also be able to see my family and spend time with my cousins before we all move off in our own directions.
Q: The summer began with the volleyball team's European Tour. What was that experience like?
Hovey: It was amazing. I love to travel, and being able to eat good food, see new cultures, and learning the history of the places we traveled to was fascinating. It was fun to spend time with the team and experience new things together! Playing different styles of volleyball and seeing how every country plays a bit differently is also very cool.
Q: What was your favorite part of the trip?
Hovey: One of my favorite parts of the trip was going to Petra’s hometown and getting to see where she grew up. We got to learn about the history of her town and tour the tunnels that span all under the city. We also got to spend time with Ukrainian refugee children and seeing how much joy they had and how welcoming they were was very moving.
Q: Moving into volleyball, when did you start playing volleyball and how did you know that was the sport you wanted to continue playing?
Hovey: I started to play volleyball on a club team when I was 10 years old, and before then I had done a couple of camps. At first, I found volleyball boring, so I didn’t want to keep playing it. But, one of my friends was going to do a volleyball camp and I wanted to spend time with her, so I went to the camp. After the camp, I was hooked on volleyball and I wanted to continue to play it! I knew I wanted to continue playing because there are always things to improve upon and things to learn that can bring my game to the next level.
Q: When and how did you first learn about BGSU volleyball?
Hovey: I first learned about BGVB from my Aunt. One of the players she coached in club volleyball came to BGSU to play volleyball and I remember before I started my recruiting process, my Aunt said that I could eventually go to Bowling Green. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now I'm here!
Q: What made you decide that you wanted to attend BGSU?
Hovey: I knew I wanted to come to BGSU after talking to the coaches and learning about the team values and the goals that the program is striving for. Also seeing how everyone interacts and enjoys time together while working hard showed me how strong the relationships on the team are.
Q: Being an international student-athlete, how was the transition into your first year with the volleyball program?
Hovey: At first it was very busy and a bit overwhelming, but the team and the coaches helped if I ever needed anything. After getting into a rhythm and a routine it felt easier. Transitioning to volleyball and getting closer with the team felt effortless and it was fun to get to know all the girls.
Q: You've represented Canada on the volleyball court, what is it like to represent your country on a national stage?
Hovey: Representing Canada on a national stage is an experience that is like no other. Wearing the Canadian jersey and playing against other National teams is an honor. Playing with like-minded people who all want to represent their country with pride and give everything to win is inspiring.
Q: You had quite the freshman season - AVCA All-Northeast Region, MAC Freshman of the Year, MAC Tournament MVP, All-MAC First Team. Describe the emotions of such an impressive freshman year.
Hovey: It was exciting and I was happy, but without my teammates and coaches I know that my freshman year would have been different. I am grateful for everyone on this team and they push me to improve every day.
Q: What was your favorite moment during your freshman season with the volleyball program?
Hovey: One of my favorite moments during my freshman season was winning the MAC championship and getting to go to the NCAA tournament!
Q: During your first season as a Falcon, the team won the MAC Tournament and went to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last three years. What makes BGSU volleyball so special and successful?
Hovey: The culture on the team is definitely one of the driving factors that makes BGVB so special. We all care about each other and want to improve by putting in hard work to reach our goals. The coaches make sure we stay hungry and continue to push us to be the best we can be.
Q: Let's go back to the MAC Championship. You landed 22 kills for BGSU's only 20-kill match of the season and added 16 assists and 11 digs for your third triple-double of the season. How special was it to have that type of performance in a championship match?
Hovey: I found it special because it meant that I was able to contribute to the team and help bring us to a win! I know that without my team I wouldn’t have been able to do it.
Q: What is your major at BGSU and what made you decide to study in that field?
Hovey: I am majoring in psychology because I find learning about people fascinating.
Q: What are your career plans after Bowling Green?
Hovey: After my volleyball career, I want to become a sports psychologist so that I can help other athletes.
Q: What is your go-to restaurant and/or meal?
Hovey: I would say Lupita is one of the go-to restaurants.
Q: Where is your favorite spot on campus?
Hovey: I like the Business Building because I am able to get coffee there and sit somewhere nice to do homework!
Q: Who inspired or encouraged you the most athletically growing up?
Hovey: My mom inspired me the most athletically when I was growing up. She is very athletic and did lots of sports when she was young. My mom encouraged me to do all sorts of sports and she pushed me to continue to grow and get better at the sports I was doing.
Q: Do you have any pre-match superstitions or routines?
Hovey: I don’t have any pre-match superstitions, but before and while playing I have to make sure my shoes feel tight on my feet or else I think that they are going to fall off when I jump. Also, at the beginning of volleyball games, I tie my shoe laces in the same order as well.
Q: Describe Coach Tomic in one word…
Hovey: Empowering!
