By Mark Reinhiller
Associate AD/Media Relations
Coach
Kim Cherniss describes
Lauren Nicholson as CSUSB's Clark Kent — unassuming demeanor with mild-mannered characteristics and the ever-present black-framed glasses off the court.
Of course, what belies Kent is what sets him apart from all others. It is fair to say that Nicholson is indeed the Coyotes' answer to Kent and his alter ego — Superman.
"Lauren is kind of the all-American kid,'' Cherniss said. "Off the court, she has such an unassuming nature. But once she takes off the glasses, puts on her uniform and steps on to the court …"
Cherniss calls her dynamic and there can be no argument from those who follow Coyote volleyball. Nicholson's leadership and quality of play in her three seasons at outside hitter for the nationally-recognized program have taken the Upland senior to the upper shelf among all Division II volleyball players.
Take for example her 29-kill effort in a 3-0 win over Chico State at Coussoulis Arena on Oct. 27. Not only did she establish a school record held for 17 years by three-time All-American Kim Morohunfola, that achievement is the best three-set kill mark not just in Division II, but in all of college volleyball.
She owns two of the top four kill-performances in three-set matches in D2 and dominates offensive categories in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. She leads in kills/set (4.23), points/set (4.51), total attacks (1,048) and total kills (402).
And among current NCAA student-athletes, she ranks 10
th in kills/set (3.78), No. 22 attacks/set (10.32) and #T41 kills (1,217) — the best among those who play in the CCAA.
"Lauren's agility is just so obvious that it speaks volumes about her ability to go vertical and then horizontal,'' Cherniss said. "That she is nearing 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in her career — and at just three seasons — is such a rare feat.
"Her vision and speed work set her apart. She has such great feet and her arm swing is so pure. It's a dangerous combination because not everyone can get in position with their feet. That's the number one thing. She gets herself into position and follows through unbelievably well with her arm.''
When Lauren sets up for a kill, she utilizes her high degree of timing, agility, vision and instinct. She tests at a 30-inch vertical, but her view to a kill is much higher.
"I can see the blockers, or the back row will tell me where the opposition is when I'm in the air,'' Nicholson said.
All in mere seconds, her experience and time spent studying film pay off.
"The best part is that it's a challenge on every point,'' she said. "Coach says it's like playing chess. The pieces move and you gotta figure out where they change or switch.''
Now, Nicholson might give a shrug and maybe even blush when she hears about her accomplishments with CSUSB since transferring in 2015 after one season at Division I Portland State.
She always has had a boatload of personal confidence in her ability. Prior to her freshman season at Upland High School, she took a look around and quizzically asked her coaches if it was possible for a freshman to play on the varsity.
"The coaches just kind of laughed and said if I was good enough that I could,'' she said. Safe to say, that the Highlanders soon made room for a freshman on the varsity where she eventually lettered all four seasons, earned three all-league honors and one All-CIF certificate.
After scratching the itch at Division I, she returned to Southern California and re-established her club connection with Cherniss and assistant coaches
Danny Scott and
Mike Gutierrez here at CSUSB.
Three years later, she is helping the Coyotes' drive toward a 13th CCAA title and reach an unprecedented 18
th straight NCAA appearance and aspiring for more personal glory.
However, she would be the last person to make that a known fact.
"Lauren's a great teammate because she puts others before herself,'' said teammate and long-time besty
Sascha Dominique. "She doesn't take anything for granted. Success for her isn't something that you keep. It's ongoing.''
The kinesiology major aspires becoming either an X-Ray or MRI technician after her graduation this spring. That path, she hopes, won't happen for a while as she would love to play a year of professional volleyball.
And play a little bit longer this season as a Coyote.
