By: Kate Lassiter
From her freshman to senior season, defender Lauren Dobbs has been vital to Kennesaw State's women's lacrosse team, starting every game since 2023 and playing 66 games since her freshman year, making her one of the team's most effective athletes.
Growing up in Dacula, Georgia, Dobbs comes from a very close-knit family, a family she is grateful to have had by her side throughout her lacrosse journey.
"Seeing them in the stands has truly always been my why," Dobbs said.
Dobbs is close with her three older siblings: brothers Ryan and Matthew, and her sister Megan. Dobbs' older sister, Megan, is a support system off the field; on the field, she is one of the team's managers. Dobbs recently shared what it means to have her older sister as a manager.
"She loves it. She loves all the girls, and all the girls love her. It's definitely been a lot of fun and just good," Dobbs said. "She knows me better than a lot of people, so even if she sees me in my head sometimes, she just comes up and gives me a quick little pep talk, and it really reminds me to just focus on the next play. I've really enjoyed it."
Dobbs has been more than just a significant piece to this team; she has been a leader for it, too. This season, she was chosen to be one of the three senior captains for her team. She wanted to focus on bringing effort to every game and practice while keeping the energy high this season. Since then, Dobbs shared how that goal has developed throughout the season.
"Our energy, communication, and our ability to just stay connected as a team have really grown, and I see it continuing to grow throughout the rest of our season," Dobbs said.
Aside from accomplishing goals as a team, Dobbs achieved several of her own awards this season. She reached a career record of 100 ground balls, a school record of 29 caused turnovers in a season, and is now the Owls' all-time leader in caused turnovers. Before these goals were accomplished, Dobbs shared that once she learned she was in the running for them, it became a motivator for her. Instead of letting it become her entire focus during a game, she went out each game and played like she knew she could.
"My preparation hasn't changed," Dobbs said. "I still keep my pre-game routine, then focus on doing my job in that moment, staying disciplined and playing for my teammates. I think if I can do that each game, then the rest is going to take care of itself."
Since accomplishing these goals, Dobbs shared how bittersweet this season has been and how she has internalized each moment and opportunity.
"I couldn't get any of those accolades without my teammates, the whole defensive unit, my coaches; everything going into it, I couldn't have done it without them," Dobbs said. "I think they really support me, and I think we all play unselfishly, and I think without them, I wouldn't be able to reach this achievement, and I'm just very thankful for that and for them."
When Head Coach Laura Maness was asked about Dobbs' recent accomplishments, she shared how much hustle she brings to every single play.
"If that ball is anywhere near her, she is going to hunt it down and get those extra ground balls," Maness said. "I'm super proud of her and the effort and energy she shows up with every single game."
Dobbs' relationships with her teammates have been a big part of her lacrosse journey at KSU. Some of these relationships go back to high school. Aislinn Pendergast, an Owl defender, expressed what it means to be a career-long teammate with Dobbs.
"It's been incredibly rewarding to watch Lauren grow and be so successful here at KSU firsthand," Pendergast said. "We're so far from the juniors in high school who came on our first visit together, and we're even further from the middle schoolers who were wearing polka dot socks up to our knees when we started playing together. So, I think those younger versions of us would be really proud and honestly surprised by how far we've come."
Dobbs shared similar feelings when asked which player has helped her come a long way over the years.
"We've been playing together since we were really young, and I think we both play very similarly, and we both just go out there and really try to go after the hustle plays," Dobbs said of Pendergast. "I think she and I have that same connection, and we're willing to get down and dirty and get the job done. Without her, I wouldn't be able to do this."
As she reflects on her KSU career, Dobbs has advice for the program's incoming freshmen.
"Soak up every minute," Dobbs said. "These four years have definitely flown by; it's really bittersweet. Form connections with your upperclassmen; they are still some of my best friends to this day. Show up every day with a positive attitude, work hard, and know that good things are going to come your way."
When asked to describe her time with KSU lacrosse in three words, she said they would be gratitude, grit, and growth. Finally, Dobbs wanted to thank her coaches, teammates, and Owl Nation for the opportunity to play for KSU with a great group of girls.
"These past four years, I have made so many amazing friendships, and I know that these are going to be lifelong friendships," Dobbs said. "Life is so much more than just lacrosse, and we really have a lot of fun together off the field. I think it's really special that we get to do that. I just want to say thank you. I'm very grateful for all they have done for me."
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