Valparaiso’s Lasky commits to Crusaders

• Reprints

Valparaiso setter Tarrah Lasky (right) during the class 4a volleyball regional against Munster held at Munster High School in Munster, Ind., Tuesday, October 25, 2011. | Guy Rhodes~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 26, 2012 8:15AM

Tarrah Lasky wants to stay in Valparaiso. So she verbally committed to four more years of volleyball in her hometown.

Lasky, a junior at Valparaiso High School, has decided to play college volleyball at Valparaiso University after she graduates.

The three-year varsity letter winner had a record-breaking junior season, racking up 1,323 assists, 39 aces and 328 digs. She also helped guide the Vikings to a Duneland Conference crown and the school’s first sectional title since 2005.

Lasky said choosing to stay in Valparaiso was a no-brainer.

“Since I’ve grown up in Valpo, I’ve been following Valpariso (University) volleyball,” she said. “I’ve had some Ivy League schools interested but Valpo has always been my top choice. I’m so happy to get it out of the way. I love the campus.”

The Crusaders finished 20-15 overall and 9-7 in the Horizon League last season under coach Carin Avery.

Lasky isn’t sure what she will study in college, but she knows she plans to live on campus the first year. She might also redshirt her freshman year depending on the role she’s asked to play for the Crusaders.

In the meantime, Lasky will help lead a talented Vikings squad into the 2012 season hoping to repeat their feats from the previous season and then some.

Valparaiso fell one game short of winning the school’s second regional title. Lasky thinks her team is ready to take the next step.

“We have five seniors returning and some JV players that are pretty good coming up,” she said. “And with all that talent, I think we can do just as well if not better than last year.”