Last week, the women's volleyball team downed both Princeton and Penn, moving the Bears to third place in the Ivy League at 7-4 (10-12 overall). Tri-captain Lauren Gibbs '06 posted the game-winning kill against the Tigers and the game-winning block against the Quakers. Her offensive prowess ranks her fifth for career kills on Brown's all-time list after recently passing 1,000. Gibbs will be back in action this weekend, leading the Bears on their quest for a winning season, as the women play Harvard and Dartmouth on the road.
Herald: Last weekend against Princeton was your Senior Game. As one of two seniors, what did the game mean for you?Gibbs: It was awesome. I think the coolest part about it was getting the last kill. I went out at point 27, but then the rotation went all the way back around.
Do you have any superstitions or rituals that you do before matches?I have kneepads I only wear for Ivy League matches, but I think that's it. I wash my own jersey too.
In addition to having clean gear, is there any other way you pump yourself up before games?We have a warm-up CD, and we have a team meeting before the matches. There's usually something personal involved, either someone wanting to set a best, or it's against Princeton or Yale and we just know we have to beat them. It's pretty easy to get confident even when away at other schools with your teammates around you.
Who is your biggest Ivy rival?Mine personally is Yale. Absolutely.They were recruiting me when Brown was, but then basically told me I wouldn't be good enough for their team. So freshman year I went in against them and played middle after (Yale) had told me I'd never be able to play middle for them and ended up with a bunch of blocks. Ever since then it's been Yale, which is funny because one of my best friends plays on the team there.(The Bears will close their 2005 season at home against Yale on Wednesday, Nov. 16)
So even though you're from Los Angeles, it sounds like you had your heart set on coming east for school. Was that a hard decision?For the longest time I didn't want to come to the East Coast, but I know I want to live in L.A. the rest of my life, so I figured I might as well go for it. Originally I got a letter from the track coach, which is how I got thinking about Brown in the first place. I was a jumper in high school, but track wasn't my first passion. When I asked if I could do volleyball at the same time, they put me in contact with the volleyball coach, and after talking with her, she said if I wanted to come to Brown, I could play here.
So, you've tried your hands at a few sports other than volleyball.I played soccer for 10 years, but I was kind of clumsy. Ball control wasn't my strength. I did softball and track in high school.
Are spandex shorts comfortable?Yes!
Really?Well, I mean, I think so. I don't wear any underwear with mine, I don't know if that's too much information! But they are like second skin.
On the topic of underwear ... for guys, boxers or briefs?Definitely boxers. Briefs kind of freak me out, especially now that they make them for girls.
What has your collegiate highlight been?At the Harvard match last year, I had 29 kills, which was fun because it was Senior Weekend, and my dad came and surprised me. When they called the starting line-up and I turned around, he was there waving at me from the stands, which really pumped me up.
What would you say your role is on the team off the court?Team mother - make sure all the girls are having fun, but being safe. I like hanging out with all of them. Even if I'm a senior and they are freshmen, they are my buddies.
Since volleyball is only a fall sport, next semester you'll have the chance for the first time to just be a student. Are you looking forward to being a typical senior?I won't be an athlete anymore. I know I'm going to miss the team a lot, it's meant so much to me. But when I was talking to my mom about it, she reminded me all good things must come to an end. My knees hurt, my shoulder hurts, my back hurts, so I'll be ready for a break. But when they start up with spring training, I'm sure I'll miss it. The strength coach asked me if I'd still come in and bench, so I'll have to make an appearance there.
I'm sure that won't be the only time you see your teammates in the off-season.The girls are my best friends, and I know we have a lot more in common than volleyball, so I don't have to worry about losing touch with them, which is really great. But I will get to see what life at Brown is like without practice, which will be a good experience for me.
And what's your opinion on beach volleyball? Do you have post-collegiate plans to be a star in the sand?Beach volleyball is awesome and actually a lot harder than court, because of the sand and only having two people on the court. I've actually gotten a chance to play with (beach volleyball Olympians) Misty May and Kerri Walsh through my club team at home in Long Beach. I'd have to train hard to be able to play it, but maybe for fun.
Then what is on tap for you next year?I work for a company named CUTCO. I'm either going to open an office or work for the main office at home in Pasadena for a few years. Once I save some money, I want to get into real estate. I'd like to retire at 45. That's my goal.
What do you do at CUTCO?I'm a sales rep. Basically you get to give presentations in people's homes and try to sell them products. I've gotten to try on a few of my friends, and I've received college credit for it, which is great. I've also gotten to recruit, interview and train college students to work there.
If you had a chance to play one position you don't normally play what would it be?I really like the position I'm in. Hitting is so much fun. But I'd like to play all the way around. Defense is not my strongest point since I started volleyball so late and passing is so technical. I can't do my job without the passers at all. The setter can't set behind her head if there's no pass. I'm really grateful. I couldn't have a single kill without the passing team ... we get all the glory, but people don't realize how hard the defense works.
