Miller commits to Baylor University

Patrick Laverty

Lauren Miller, a senior outside hitter for Newport Harbor High’s Sea

View League champion girls volleyball team, made an oral commitment

to Baylor University over the weekend and will sign a national letter

of intent to play for the Bears today.

Miller, 5-foot-11, visited Baylor and was impressed with the

atmosphere and Bears’ volleyball team.

“I thought it was going to be a small town,” Miller said. “But the

town and the school were way bigger than I thought.”

Miller also was impressed with a youthful Baylor squad that is

12-16, 4-11 in the Big 12 this season. The Bears have just two

seniors on the roster and they are both outside hitters, which could

allow Miller to contribute right away.

Offered a two-year scholarship, with the possibility of adding two

more years, Miller chose Baylor over UTEP, Gonzaga, San Francisco,

Texas Tech and Arizona State, though the latter four schools would

have likely only offered walk-on possibilities.

An All-Sea View League and All-Newport-Mesa selection last season,

Miller’s interest in Baylor was piqued by her former Golden West

Volleyball Club Coach Kevin Wray, a Baylor graduate who also assists

with the Bears.

Playing in the Big 12 will allow Miller to compete against current

teammate Alyson Jennings, who has committed to the University of

Texas.

With her college choice finalized, Miller enters the CIF Southern

Section playoffs without stress.

“It’s definitely a relief,” Miller said.

The Sailors, the defending Division II-AA champions, will begin

defense of their title tonight at home at 7 p.m. against Villa Park.