Laura Lesko #14
 Position: Middle Hitter
 Height: 5-10
 Class: Sr.
 Hometown: Wyandotte, Mich. (Roosevelt HS)

2005: Outlook
Returning from a back injury that sidelined the 2003 NAIA All-American, Lesko figures to be a key cog in the Crusaders offensive and defensive arsenal in 2005. If she can return to her 2003 form, the Crusaders will be that much closer to their team goals.

2004: Senior Season (Red-Shirt)
Sat out the entire 2004 season with a stress fracture in her back ... retains one year of eligibilty heading into 2005.

2003: Junior Season
Earned first-team All-Conference accolades following her best season as a Crusader ... posted double-digit kills 43 times on her way to 705 total kills and a .429 attack percentage .. .ran together a streak of 28 straight matches with 10 or more kills from September 23rd to December 4th ... ranked third on the team in kills behind Tinina and Sharyse Bush and third in kills per game with a 4.29 average ... posted season high 25 kills in fourth match of the season, a victory over Doane on August 23rd ... stepped up her game on the defensive end, finishing the year with 492 digs and 172 blocks ... ranked third on the team in digs and second in total blocks ... finished the season strong with four double-digit kill performances at the NAIA National Tournament including a game high 16 in quarterfinal loss to Biola (CA).

2002: Sophomore
One of two players to start all 171 games for the Crusaders ... second on the team and in the WHAC in kills (543) placing her 19th in the nation ... 3.18 kills/game average raned second in the conference ... one of the breakout stars earning first team All-Conference honors ... notched 71 service aces, 28 solo blocks and 142 block assists to lead the team and the conference in blocking.

2001: Freshman
Compiled 266 kills in 616 attempts with 77 errors for a .307 hitting percentage ... put together 2.17 kills per game (5th on team) ... had 3 assist in 15 attempts for an assist percentage of .200 ... had 10 service aces and 4 errors in 37 attempts for a .892 percentage ... put together 89 digs with 0.91 digs per game ... had 3 pass reception errors in 23 attempts for a .870 passing percentage ... compiled 7 block solos, 21 block assists, 5 errors with 0.29 blocks per game (7th on team) ... had 14 multiple attack kills performances and a season-high 10 digs against the University of Michigan Dearborn on September 20 ... also had 15 kills (2nd personal best) against Westminster College (PA) on October 6 ... chosen as team Most Improved Player ... best overall performance was on November 1 versus Eckerd College: 20 kills, 1 error in 35 attempts for a .543 hitting percentage with 7 digs, 1 assist and 2 total blocks.

High School:
Earned eight varsity letters in her high school career ... lettered three years in basketball, two years in softball and three years in volleyball ... selected as an All-Area, All-District and All-League basketball standout her senior season ... earned First Team All-Area, All-District and All-League recognition in her sophomore, junior and senior years in volleyball ... chosen as a MHSAA All-Region and MHSAA Honorable Mention All-State performer both her junior and senior years ... went on to earn Second Team All-Metro honors as a senior year while being voted her team’s Most Valuable Player... also received MHSAA Academic All-State recognition for her accomplishments as a scholar athlete, senior year ... was involved in numerous clubs and organizations outside of athletics, such as Honor Society, D.A.R.E, S.A.D.D. and P.R.I.D.E ... graduated with honors with a cumulative GPA of 3.80.

Quoting Coach Abraham:
“Coming off a medical red shirt season, Laura is ready to make her strongest contribution in her final season as a Crusader. As one of our upperclassman players and another of our talented volleyball athletes, she will be asked to be a leader on the court and compete at a very high level of play. One of four members of a strong senior class, Laura has the talent and ability to rank among the nations best at her position. She will be expected to bring to the court an explosive style of play while displaying leadership, confidence and game savvy. Has all the ability to dominate her position as both a terminating hitter and blocker. Watching last year from the sideline, has provided her with all the motivation and eagerness needed to make this her most productive season. Pre-season and the early part of the season will be integral for her to pick up where she left off in her last competitive season, 2003. Crusader fans have a lot to look forward to with this stellar senior performer.”


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