RUHS Volleyball Alum Making Waves

Former volleyball star Lara Dykstra is garnering national attention.

The 5-foot, 10-inch Redondo alum who now plays the libero position as a freshman at Nebraska University was recently profiled on espnW, a sports website dedicated to women.

According to espnW, Dykstra appeared in 105 sets for Nebraska this past year, leading the team with 380 digs—a new record for freshmen.

"It's rare that a freshman here has a big impact like Dykstra has," Nebraska coach John Cook told reporter Pat Borzi.

Athletics are a family affair for the Dykstra's. Little sister Skylar Dykstra is on Redondo's varsity volleyball team; older brother Joey Dykstra is a beach volleyball professional at USC; and older sisters Jenna and Devon played in college.

Their father, Joe Dykstra, was a ninth-round draft pick for the Phoenix Suns in 1983.

Lara Dykstra's success at the collegiate level should come as no surprise to fans of Redondo's varsity volleyball team. Last year as a high school senior, Dykstra was selected as .

"Lara's going to go down as one of the all-time greats, if not the greatest, in school history," Redondo coach Tommy Chaffins said at the time. "She has to be talked about as one of the all-time great athletes in Redondo history, and I know my Redondo history. We've never had a player at Redondo receive such a high honor.

"Everyone talks about how good she is, and she is all of that, but I don't think most people can appreciate how hard she works. Do a lot of people want to win? You bet they do. Do they have the mindset to train like a champion? Not many athletes do like Lara. It's been mind-boggling for me to be around."