“I don’t look into the future, just to next basketball season,” was the response from the UW-River Falls shooting guard, Lauren Pellowski, when she was asked about her plans for the future. It’s obvious that this 5-7 junior from St. Paul, Minn., is probably an “eat, sleep and basketball,” type of player.
Falcon Head Coach Cindy Holbrook stated that, “Lauren is a great athlete, comfortable with the ball in her hand and she’s huge.” Pellowski got a little red in the face when Holbrook emphasized the “huge” part. On paper, Pellowski sounds like a great player, but there’s only one problem: she’s been injured the last two years and just recently declared that the rest of her season is over.
Pellowski’s first year on the UWRF basketball team was in 2007-08. She produced a total of 77 points and averaged 3.1 points per game. Not bad for a freshman. Four years later, Pellowski is suffering from an ankle injury that built up over time. She just decided around Christmas time that she was done for the season and needs surgery.
“I just want one good healthy season,” stated Pellowski after explaining her career of what seems to be one of constant injuries. However, because Pellowski got a medical red shirt from the year before, she still has another year of eligibility. Pellowski said, “The only time I cry is when they tell me I can’t play. But it’s nice that I have another year.” Pellowski’s injury last year involved the same ankle, but a different problem.
Holbrook commented about Pellowski’s injury, “ Anytime you lose a strong player it’s going to impact the team.” Seeing how athletic Pellowski is, it probably impacts her everyday life as well.
Pellowski said she has always loved sports “I was always really athletic as a kid.” When Pellowski was 18 she flew to California and did a triathlon with a friend from high school. When she was 21 she ran a half marathon in Stillwater, Minn. After Pellowski explained about the triathlon, Holbrook commented and said, “Yeah, she’s crazy.”
Pellowski figured out at a young age that basketball was the sport that fit her personality the best. “Softball was too slow, and there wasn’t enough scoring in soccer, but basketball was up-tempo and fit me the best.” Pellowski played basketball for Tartan Senior High School in Oakdale, Minn.
She chose UW-River Falls because it was close to home and she loved the coaches. Pellowski has three sisters, one, Candace, that also goes to UWRF and plays on the women’s soccer team.
Pellowski is obviously not only an impact player on the UWRF women’s basketball team but also a very athletic and driven person in general. With the injuries she’s enduring, it has been difficult for her to accept a spot on the sidelines. However, Pellowski said she still attends every practice, game, film session and team dinner.
Holbrook stated, “Lauren is a tremendous leader on and off the court. Even with her injuries, she is still a vocal leader on the team. She has a personality that people want to follow.”
