Lindsay Larson, UTEP volleyball team’s setter
Number 16 of UTEP’s volleyball team’s t-shirt represents not only one of the best setters of the state, but also a story worth to be told. Lindsay Larson comes from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada. You would ask yourself what is a talented Canadian doing here in El Paso playing for UTEP, well the answer may surprise you in more than one way.
“I think that I was pretty lucky growing up and being able to play multiple sports, so I have always been decently athletic…” Says Lindsay after being asked where she thought her talent comes from. Larson played a bunch of different sports during her childhood and adolescent life, she’s also a passionate student and an easy going person. Her vibes are simply the right ones when she talks about sports. You could have the simpler of the conversations with her and you would instantly feel her humbleness.
Her keenness for sports is obvious, and she always knew a college scholarship was the way to go. “I played almost everything that I could… a lot of soccer growing up and then in high school, volleyball, basketball, football, badminton, and track as well”. Her plans from a young age had been coming into place as she’s been playing for UTEP since she was a freshman, being now a Junior and having a bright future in sports leaves something certain for Lindsay’s life; she’ll accomplish everything she wants in life, just as she’s done it so far.
“I really enjoy being in El Paso. It is definitely way different than home. I absolutely love the weather here compared to at home. It was a little bit of a culture shock for me coming here, with el Paso being on the border of America and Mexico”. She always craved an athletic scholarship, and after attending a camp in Canada, were they got recruited for Volleyball in Canada. She also got offers for Basketball in Canada, but when Ken Murphy (Former UTEP Coach) offered her a junior year she didn’t hesitate and accepted right on the spot. A bit after, when she visited the city, she fell in love with the weather and culture of El Paso, who wouldn’t?
She started playing for UTEP as a substitute due to an injury she had at the time. She rapidly climbed her way up to being the UTEP’s starting setter, debuting in the fall of 2014; since then, Larson has led the team to greatness by being named the Conference USA Setter of the week, announced by the league. This is the first award of the Larson’s career. Also she recorded her 16th double-double of the season against UAB on Friday November 6th with 53 assists and 19 digs while adding five kills, four blocks and a service ace. The setter then followed that performance with 33 assists, five kills, seven digs, four blocks and a service against Louisiana Tech on Sunday, November the 8th of this year.
Larson also has a special way of bonding with her teammates, she gets along with every single member of the team, and refers to “the girls” as a united and solid team where everyone is fun to play and travel with. She believes good communication and comradery are key for the team’s success.
Larson is not only talented in sports, she is also a great student. She’s a regular member on the UTEP’s Dean List with a 3.75 gpa and was recognized as a 2012 C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medalist. For an athlete of this level, is impressive the way she performs in both the court and the classroom, this talks of her discipline and effort she puts in every aspect of her life. People who inspire are rare, but they exist. A real hard worker and talented person along with the great attitude she has for life make Lindsay Larson an impressive person.
Right now Larson is ranked eighth in C-USA as she averages 8.85 assists per set with a total of 974 assists. And this is her junior year. The whole city is anxious to see what surprises Lindsay will have for the team.
