Duggins is the queen of the court in sister's eyes
Advertiser Staff
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| Lauren Duggins' unpretentiousness was evident when the high school homecoming queen chose to wear sneakers for the event. Lauren and sister Elise have a close relationship. "She can be my best friend sometimes ... other times she can be like my mom," says Elise.
Duggins family photo UH volleyball WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center WHEN: Today 7 p.m., No. 2 Hawai'i (17-1, 5-0 WAC) vs. Louisiana Tech (13-8, 2-3 WAC). SaturdayiNo. 2 Hawai'i vs. Southern Methodist (14-4, 5-0 WAC). SundayiNo. 2 Hawai'i vs. Arizona (7-10, 1-6 Pac-10) TV/RADIO: Live on KFVE (5) and 1420 AM TICKETS: WAC matchesi$12 lower level, $9 upper, $8 senior citizens (65-older), $5 students 4-18, $3 UH system students. Sundayi$16 lower level, $13 upper, $9 senior citizens (65-older), $5 students 4-18, $3 UH system students. PARKING: $3 |
Duggins melted into the state's melting pot culture effortlessly, eschewing shoes and ego long before she became the Rainbow Wahine's latest — and least likely looking — All-American middle blocker. She came by her humility naturally, born to a mother (Deb) who grew up here and an amiable father (Mike) who fit perfectly in paradise.
UH coach Dave Shoji felt Duggins' affinity for Hawai'i as soon as he started recruiting the 6-foot, 145-pound player for her graceful athleticism and versatility.
"He said way back then that Hawai'i is a perfect fit for Lauren," Deb Duggins said. "I thanked him later, for all it's meant to her life and how it's been affected the last three years — even without volleyball."
What did not fit for Duggins was moving away from sister Elise, who is 4 1/2 years younger. "She can make Lauren laugh faster than anything," Deb says. "Elise loves her sister to death."
The feeling is mutual. Lauren was the first person to hold Elise when she was born. It didn't seem right to leave as Elise entered high school.
"I left when she was in eighth grade and now I still think of her as a little girl," Lauren says. "Then I see her and she's a beautiful woman. I think, 'My God, where did this come from?' I kind of hate myself for that because I wish I'd been more a part of her life, especially in high school. I wish we got to spend more time together.
"We are closer now, but in a different way, not so much big sister/little sister. ...I wish I were there. I don't even know any of her friends, haven't seen any of her games, never been there for any dances. I only get pictures."
To cope, the family made a deal as Lauren left their home in Fullerton, Calif.: The sisters would talk as long and often as they needed while she was away. They have called each other at least twice a week since and grown closer despite the distance.
"She can be my best friend sometimes, and I can tell her anything I want. Other times she can be like my mom. I miss her so much," says Elise, her voice beginning to crack. "It's hard because she was always here when I was younger. Now I'm in high school and it's the funnest, but in some ways it's the hardest times and she's not really here. I come home after a really bad day and I can't talk to her."
That would be when Lauren's phone rings. She can't bring her little sister hot chocolate anymore, or hold her in her arms, but she can find the words to soothe her.
The sisters talk about anything and everything Elise. "That's more her personality," Lauren says. "I keep everything in."
Boys are big, along with all the choices inherent in being a high school senior.
"Elise is fortunate to have an older sister so down to earth and honest with her," Deb says. "Lauren is probably the only one who can tell Elise the things she should know and doesn't want to hear."
Some of their most compelling discussions involve Elise's choice of college. She is the little sister in every sense of the word, four inches smaller than Lauren, which makes her a bubble player by Division I volleyball standards.
But last summer, Elise worked her way on to the junior national training team as a libero. She came home loving the position, not caring if she ever took a swing again. It came as a surprise to a family that always saw Lauren as the "brains" of the sisters and Elise as the "brawn" — ready to hit the ball through someone if she is blocked.
Elise's options have multiplied since. Scholarships are a possibility, and the schools where she talks of walking on are well-respected. Hawai'i hovers near the top of the list. There is a volleyball team here she already shares a bond with, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.
And, of course, Lauren, who is pondering a pro future and an advanced degree that will allow her to teach special education. "I know mom hates it," Elise says, "but no one thinks she'll come back."
Lauren told her parents as much her first trip home. "I think they knew from the beginning, since I was a little girl," she says. "They knew I'd find a way back here."
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| Lauren Duggins' graceful athleticism belies a determined and dependable middle blocker who earned third-team All-America honors last season as a junior for the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser Senior series The Honolulu Advertiser will be profiling each of the seven seniors on the University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team. Past profiles Here are the dates of publication: • Aug. 29—Melissa Villaroman Upcoming: • Lily Kahumoku |
"In California there are freeways and buildings and gross brown water for a beach," she says. "Here it's just breathtaking — blue skies and beautiful flowers and beaches and people. It's just the attitude of 'Take it easy, don't worry about the small stuff.' "
It has been good for her, and her game. Duggins, who has not gained an ounce since she moved here, has worked her way into being a force. When she gets on top of the ball now, she can pound it. And though she is too small to stuff balls spectacularly, she might deflect as many as anyone in the country. She can also play every position.
Her commitment, and gifts for nurturing and mediating, were recognized by teammates this year when they voted her co-captain. Shoji characterizes Duggins as the ultimate in a "low-maintenance player ... and I like low maintenance."
"She is among the most reliable people we've ever had in every way," Shoji says. "She shows up everyday on time, there's never a question about anything else going on that distracts from the team. She's always been there for everybody else."
Duggins is also happy, and grateful, to play in the shadows of All-Americans Lily Kahumoku and Kim Willoughby. They deal with a notoriety — on court and off — that has never appealed to her. She also knows their talents have enhanced hers immensely.
Elise has watched it all for nearly four seasons. She has felt her laid-back sister grow even more compassionate, and seen how Lauren has let Hawai'i become a huge part of her life. She has learned from watching how her sister "doesn't freak out in a close game," never raises her voice and is "not out there to be the star."
"I really admire her," Elise says. "She knows what she wants and is not going to let anyone stop her. She's so focused, so determined."
If Elise comes to UH, Lauren will have one less distraction.
"It would be a wonderful new phase in their lives as sisters," Deb Duggins says. "I have a feeling Elise will end up there, too. Then we're talking about moving. I'm not going to be away from my grandkids."
Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.
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Lauren Ashleeleialoha Duggins
6-0 senior middle blocker
Born: Jan. 21, 1982
Hometown: Fullerton, Calif.
Hobbies: Going to the beach and movies, soccer. She was an all-league soccer player three years at Fullerton Union High School, where she was coached by her mother, Deb. Her ability to kick a 40-yard field goal earned her a spot on the football team for one day before the athletic director asked her not to play out of concern for her safety — and volleyball future. "He was worried about somebody coming through the line and taking her out at the knees," Deb Duggins recalled. "I said thank you very much. She is a very thin person."
Ethnic makeup: Hawaiian, Chinese, German, Swedish, Irish, American Indian.
Lauren Duggins' volleyball honors
- Fourth in career hitting percentage (.353), tied for sixth in block assists (334), eighth in total blocks (369) and tied for eighth in blocks per game (1.16)
- Third-team All-American (2002)
- All-Midwest Region team (NCAA Tournament)
- First-team all-WAC (2002)
- All-WAC Tournament team in 2002 (.789 with 15 kills in championship) and 2001
- Second-team all-WAC (2001)
- Started every match in the middle and led Hawai'i in blocking past three years
- Led last year's team with .396 hitting percentage
- Four-year all-league and all-CIF Southern Section player in high school
- Won 1999 Junior Nationals club championship
- Volleyball magazine Fab 50 selection.
