Russ Rose Then (2005): “Considering that Laura had ACL reconstructive surgery in November, she made an incredible progression in order to not only be playing, but being a key player in her club team’s repeat as National Champions. She’s a player that we are going to depend on because she is equally comfortable with the offensive and defensive nuances of the game. She’s a well-trained player and has the ability to be an effective hitter and blocker. She enters Penn State with the credentials and desire to contribute immediately.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “She was here for a couple of years, then went to UCLA. She wasn’t gonna beat out Megan Hodge or Nic Fawcett, but she was a really well-skilled player. She came from one of the top club programs in the country, and had all the credentials to be successful. She didn’t play a lot, but when she was called upon, she was confident and skilled and not afraid to compete and do the things she did well. She got a little dinged up, but at the end of the 2005 season, when Christa Harmotto blew out her knee and missed the final Big Ten weekend and all three NCAA matches, and I had to move Cassy Salyer from right side to the middle, Laura came in and played well. Laura was a great team player who worked hard and was very bright.”
2005 Season (Freshman): Played in 70 sets, recording 88 kills (.227 hitting percentage), 5 service aces, 27 total blocks, and 63 digs … averaged 1.26 kills, 0.90 digs and 0.39 blocks/set … had a 14-kill effort against Seton Hall 9/16) … posted her first career double-double with 14 kills and a personal-best 11 digs against Purdue (9/24) … posted a career-best 5 blocks against Michigan (11/26).
Before Penn State: Four-year volleyball letterwinner at Barrington High School in Barrington, Illinois; team captain for the Fillies during senior season; Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year in 2004; led her Barrington High School team to two Illinois state runner-up titles and compiled a 68-9 record over the last two seasons; was named the Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year and all-area, Daily Herald all-area and all-conference and the MSL Co-Player of the Year in 2004; ranked the 16th senior in the nation by prepvolleyball.com; was a member of the 2002 abd 2003 state championship all-tournament teams; earned all-area by the Pioneer Press, all conference by the Daily Harold, and second team All-State by the Chicago Tribune in 2003; finished her high school career with 1095 kills, including 308 her senior campaign; member of the Sports Performance club since 2001; her 18-1 team won the gold medal at the AAU Nationals in 2003 and the squad captured the Junior Olympic National Open Championship in 2004 and 2005; member of the National Honor Society and the all-academic team.
“Freshmen the difference in win,” The Daily Collegian, Sept. 26, 2005