PALATINE, Ill. – In the first month of her college volleyball career, Rolling Meadows High School grad Lauren Sokolowski (Rolling Meadows, Ill./Rolling Meadows) has already made a major impact for the Hawks. Due to her outstanding play of late, she has been named the second Harper College Athlete of the Week for the 2014-15 school year.

Sokolowski became the first Harper volleyball player since Kelly Sommers on Sept. 2, 2012 to win NJCAA Div. III Player of the Week  honors (Sept. 1-7). A hard hitter and strong server, the first-year player has already begun to develop into an even more well-rounded player. Her improved defense, as evidenced by her 34 digs against a strong Bismarck State College team on Sept. 6, has given the Hawks a big lift.

Sokolowski also packs a powerful punch on the attack, as she leads Harper with 105 kills in 40 sets (2.62 kills/set). She has the second-most digs (163) on the team and has six double-doubles in 16 matches so far this fall.

"Lauren is continuing to improve. She hits the ball hard every time, passes serves very well, reads the opposing hitter like a glove, and passes opposing hits, tip rolls and long throws into the corners," said Harper head coach Bob Vilsoet.

Sokolowski was overjoyed when she found out she won the NJCAA Player of the Week award, but she also knows there's a lot of volleyball to be played. The Hawks are 12-5 on the season and currently ranked No. 8 in the national poll.

"The goal is to keep defeating other teams and to make sure we have a chance to win our region and go to nationals," she said.

She describes herself as an 'extremely competitive' player and doesn't change her aggressive style of play no matter what the score is. Vilsoet agreed with that sentiment.

"She can always be counted on to pound the ball hard looking for the point, no matter the score or who we are playing," he said.

While Sokolowski is a ruthless competitor on the court, she relishes the team aspect of the Hawks' volleyball program and the bonds she has made with her new teammates. Local bus trips plus weekend 'volleyball vacations' make the experience that much more valuable.

"This is the most family-oriented team I've been on. We all clicked right away," she said. "We are like family-they're like my sisters."