Eastern senior middle hitter Lauren Sopcic is one of two seniors on the Eastern volleyball team, and she leads the team in hitting percentage with a .259 average. She recently sat down with Staff Reporter Bob Bajek to talk about doing high jump in high school, sneaking a forbidden beverage before matches and her educational goals.

What do you enjoy the most about volleyball?

I like the team aspect and physicality. It helps release the energy from a long day sitting in class and listening to lectures. Volleyball is something I’ve been doing my whole life.

What are some of your other hobbies besides volleyball?

When I’m not studying, I love playing with my lab, Eleanor Rigby. She likes to swim in Lake Charleston. When I’m with my roommate, Lydia, she plays the guitar and I sing. I like watching DVDs and listening to music.

In what way do you think people would describe you?

I hope they’ll describe me as fun, intelligent, hard working and dedicated to the team.

What is your favorite movie and why?

My favorite movies – I can’t choose – are “Hook” and “Dirty Dancing.”

“Hook” is from my childhood while “Dirty Dancing” has great music. Those movies I could watch all day, any day.

What type of music do you like to listen to?

I love country music and especially Pat Green. I like the way he makes me feel.

Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstition?

One of my teammates and I sneak away before a match and drink Cherry Pepsi. We just started a couple of weeks ago. We have even resorted to bringing pop on the road trips. It’s not good to do.

How did you get your two nicknames?

“Slop” is from freshman year. Aaron, the assistant coach at the time, was hanging out with the players.

He wanted to give me a nickname because not only was there another Lauren on the team, he likes doing it. It’s ironic because I’m the most organized and neatest of the four freshmen at the time. Only one player calls me “Slop.” Everyone else calls me “Sop.”

Is there more pressure being one of two seniors this year?

Not really. Just a little because of the added leadership aspects. I enjoy being a leader and we have great chemistry this year.

How have you acted as a leader for the team?

I’m a physical therapy major, so I’m helping (freshman outside hitter) Madison Barr and (freshman libero) Brittany Wallace with getting organized and giving them study tips. Madison is studying biology while Brittany is taking speech pathology.

Did the high jump in high school help your game?

It helps a little bit. Jumping high at Aquin Catholic Junior and Senior High was fun since I went to state my senior year and finished in fourth place.

I jumped once here during my sophomore year, and it wasn’t pretty.

How do you keep your concentration on the court?

Staying positive, always looking for the next ball, letting go of errors I made and working off of team chemistry.

Just how good of a piano player are you?

Not that good. I like to play contemporary music. I could play “Only Hope” from “A Walk to Remember” off the top of my head. I have a lot of sheet music that I play, too.

Do your parents attend your matches?

They come to all my home games. However, my brother James Neal is a high school sophomore, so when he plays, one sees him and the other me. My dad has come to our first traveling tournaments the last two years. He likes the travel.

What is Senior Day going to be like for you?

I know it will be emotional. I will definitely miss volleyball. My body is ready for it though because my knees are worn from volleyball and high jump.

Luckily, I have no serious shoulder injuries.

What are your plans after graduation?

I want to go to graduate school at either Northern Illinois University or Northwestern to pursue a master’s degree in physical therapy. I will then find a job and eventually gain my doctorate. That’s my ultimate plan.

Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7944 or at rtbajek@eiu.edu.

Senior middle hitter Lauren Sopcic is one of just two seniors on the Panthers’ volleyball team. She leads the team with a .259 hitting percentage but also enjoys playing the piano. One of her favorite songs is “Only Hope” from the movie “A Walk to Remembe

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