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Lauren English wakes up every day grateful for the opportunity to play the game she loves. But her biggest blessing is her brother Kevin, who inspires her on and off the court.
Kevin, the youngest of Lauren’s three older brothers, was born with Down syndrome, a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome in their genetic make-up. Despite several years difference in their age, Lauren describes her brother as her best friend.
“Lauren would really take care of Kevin,” stated their father, Don English. “Take him under her wing and make sure that he is cared for all the time.”
The terms brother or best friend only begin to define their relationship as Lauren admittedly claims Kevin to be her inspiration.
“I’m different because of him and I’m able to accept other people and be able to appreciate different things in life,” elaborated Lauren.
Now in her second year on the Oklahoma volleyball team, Lauren has taken on an increased roll in the Sooners’ defensive rotation. She totaled 72 sets played as a freshman and has already seen action in 70 as a sophomore with 28 digs, 11 assists and five service aces to her credit.
A product of J.J. Pearce High School and hailing from Dallas has given Lauren the advantage of being out of state, but never far from home. Don, Kevin and her mother Karen are only a few short hours away to see her play.
“It’s very fulfilling to see what a great relationship they have and that he watches her and wants her to do well,” said Don.
While it means everything for Lauren to have the support of her family in the stands, she relishes the opportunity to do something great and take advantage of the types of opportunities she knows her brother would enjoy.
“It would be a shame if I didn’t work hard every chance that I got,” reflected Lauren. “Some of the things he can’t accomplish, I want to do it for him.”