LSU volleyball coach Fran Flory spoke highly of her starting senior libero Elena Martinez at the beginning of the season. But she also looked toward the future of the program and the freshman who would be filling Martinez’s shoes next year.”Lauren Waclawczyk is the defensive specialist who is going to be the heir apparent to Elena,” Flory said at the first press conference of the season.And Waclawczyk has shown this season she will be a good fit for Martinez’s shoes.In her role as a backup for Martinez, the freshman has averaged 1.42 digs per set. That number ranks sixth on the team, a team that begins NCAA tournament play Friday against UCLA.”Lauren is a great passer, and she continues to improve defensively,” Flory said. “She is still learning and improving every day …  As the season has progressed, she has taken more and more responsibility. A little bit of that is preparing her for next year as well, but I think she is going to be a great leader.”Waclawczyk’s role as a defensive stopper is a drastic change from her high school years. She played middle blocker and outside hitter in her four years at Poth High School.”She was one of our main hitters her junior and senior years,” said Waclawczyk’s high school coach Patti Zenner. “She did well for us. She held her own in blocking and hitting. She was a big force for us, particularly in her senior year when she was one of our go-to players.”But coming to LSU, Waclawczyk — known by her teammates and coaches as “Sunshine” for her blonde hair and smile — knew she was being recruited to be a libero.”I was ready to focus and improve on one position,” she said. “I always miss hitting, though.”The Floresville, Texas, native also had to narrow her focus to one sport coming out of high school.Waclawczyk was four sport athlete at Poth. She played softball for a year, and she played volleyball, basketball and threw the shot put and discus for the track team for four years. She won one basketball and three volleyball state titles during her career.”I came from a little school, and it’s kind of weird if you don’t play everything or at least try it all out,” Waclawczyk said. “Just the pressure from the small school helped [get me started], and then my mom kept me going and kept pushing me to get better.”Another person who has pushed Waclawczyk to get better is Martinez.Martinez said the two are good friends on and off the court, and that relationship dates back to when Waclawczyk came to LSU on a recruiting visit during her senior year of high school, and Martinez was her host.”It was our first bonding moment,” Waclawczyk said. “We still joke about it today.”Waclawczyk said she always goes to Martinez for advice.”I consider Elena my backbone right now,” Waclawczyk said. “After any tough games I have, I always text her … and she always picks me up. If I have any questions on defense, I always go to her before I go to any coaches.”Waclawczyk hopes she’s able to step up next season and replace Martinez respectably.”It’s going to be really weird without her, but I hope I can fill those shoes,” she said.
 
 
 
—- Contact Andy Schwehm at [email protected]