University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Volleyball, then and now: Lorelle Hoyer
6/3/2019 10:45:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn.—The multi-sport athlete coming out of Irondale High School, lettered twice in basketball and track while receiving that honor several times in her primary sport…volleyball. Lorelle Hoyer (Schaub) donned the blue and white during the 2005-2009 seasons only missing a pair due to injury. The Huskies primary conference then was the Big East, and Lorelle aided her team to an overall record of 87-63 with 35 conference victories.
In the UConn Volleyball school record books, she is listed as an All-Time Letterwinner for the 2005 and 2006 seasons respectively. During her freshman season (2015) she played in 38 games, posted 33 kills, and 29 blocks. Skipping over the sophomore slump, Lorelle more than tripled her offensive productivity. She played in 84 games, tallied 126 kills—with a career high 13 against Marquette, was second on the team in blocks at 84, and set a new career high in that category versus Seton Hall with eight.
She is listed on the annual leader board for block solos during the 2006 season. As a Husky Lorelle played in 138 sets—56 matches, tallied 170 kills, to go along with 117 block assists and 132 total blocks.
Lorelle married Pete, a volleyball coach, back in 2016. The duo are a husband and wife coaching pair working for former UConn SWA Debbie Corum at Southern Utah University. Lorelle is currently the assistant volleyball coach and recruiting coordinator for the Thunderbirds.
Catch up with Lorelle, by reading her answers below in the resurgence of 'UConn Volleyball, then and now.'
What made you choose to come to Storrs?
I remember walking into Gampel, the lights were off and this feeling just took over me, like "Wow. This is where champions are made." Combine that with how great everyone was on the visit, I knew it was the place for me.
What was your major at UConn?
Human Development & Family Studies.
What is something you will always remember/cherish about UConn Volleyball?
The relationships. Ten years later, there are six of us that live literally all over the country and we still get together every year—sometimes more than once. We have a group chat where we touch base weekly and they are the first people we tell when something important happens in our lives. I'm still connected with academic coordinators, strength coaches, and other student-athletes from my time at UConn and try to meet up with them any chance I can. My career wasn't what I wanted and there were times when I wanted to quit but I would go back and do it all again, for the life-long relationships I hold from that time.
Do you have a favorite memory with your teammates or of UConn in general?
Terry Pettit writes a lot about "Secret Lives of Teams", I have plenty of memories that fall under that chapter, and many more will continue to be made each time we all get together but those I'll keep close to my heart for now. However, one memory that will always stick with me was the day we found out, they were going to put pole holes in the floor of Gampel, which meant we were no longer going to have giant water jugs holding our nets up. It was a big day.
What would you consider your greatest accomplishment since graduating from UConn?
I have been extremely blessed with the opportunity to watch athlete's dreams come true. I've been there for the first time that an overhand serve clears the net, a block that seals a bid to nationals, the signing of NLI's and the final walk across the stage. I've watched young ladies grow as athletes and people. I've seen them fail and succeed. I've seen them cry tears of joy, sadness and fear. Being a part of their lives, their journey, and their career. That is my greatest accomplishment. I can honestly say, I don't think I would have followed the path I have if it wasn't for my time at UConn. The people that helped me get there, stay there and walk the stage combined with the experiences I went through have really put me where I am and for that I am extremely grateful to be a Husky.
What advice would you give our current student-athletes?
Appreciate your opportunity. There are thousands of kids out there that would kill to be in your shoes. You only get to be a college athlete once, and not only do you get to be a college athlete...you get to be a HUSKY. Enjoy it. Allow it to make you who you are. Embrace the good, the bad, the easy and the hard. Life is crazy. You never know when your time as an athlete will end and you don't want regrets. This experience will shape who you are and what you believe in for the rest of your life. Make the most of it.
*If you are an alum of the UConn volleyball program and would like more information, please reach out the Asha Evans...asha.evans@uconn.edu or 860-486-1496.*
