Following Footsteps
BUTLER TWP — The Lucas family is batting 1.000.
Sophia Lucas, daughter of Craig and Butler varsity girls volleyball coach Meghan Lucas, signed a letter of intent recently to continue her academic and volleyball career at Clarion University.
She becomes the couple's fourth child to enter college athletics. Isaiah, their son, is a junior baseball player at Allegheny College. Maria is a sophomore volleyball player at Shippensburg, Gabby a freshman volleyball player at Grove City.
That's 4-for-4 so far.
“Craig and I spent a lot of years driving kids to a practice here, a game there ... it feels good to see it all pay off for everybody,” Meghan Lucas said.
Sophia also considered Juniata, Slippery Rock and a few other PSAC schools before deciding on Clarion. She plans to enter the nursing program there.
Both of her parents were Clarion athletes. Her mother played volleyball for the Golden Eagles while her father played football.
“It's cool that she's going there, but the big thing we've emphasized to our kids is go somewhere where you're gonna play,” Craig Lucas said. “You only have four years and there's enough cheerleaders on the sidelines.
“There's no need to sit on the bench.”
It is unlikely Sophia will be doing much of that.
She set a school record with 1,024 career digs at Butler. While being recruited as a libero (defensive specialist) at Clarion, she spent much of this season setting and hitting for the Golden Tornado as well.
“It's pretty cool, following in their footsteps,” Sophia said of opting for her parents' alma mater. “It's a great program and a beautiful campus. I'm looking forward to building friendships there.
“I'll do anything they ask me to do. I just want to help the team win.”
Clarion volleyball coach Jen Herron has been there 14 years. She guided the Golden Eagles to the PSAC championship in 2010 and has a 308-138 record there, a .689 winning percentage.
Herron is three-time PSAC Coach of the Year, two-time Atlantic Region Coach of the Year and has coached 39 All-PSAC players.
“Sophia is a gritty player who relishes the libero role,” Herron said. “She has the volleyball IQ, having grown up on the game.
“No freshmen are guaranteed they'll start, but I'm confident she'll be in the mix to play right away. I love this recruiting class.”
Besides Lucas, Herron is bringing in a three-time all-state player in Cassidy Snider of Conneaut Area and a 6-foot-0 middle hitter in Charlie Allison, a two-time All-Ohio Valley Athletic Conference player from Linsly (W.Va.).
Clarion was 19-12 in 2019. The PSAC did not hold a volleyball season this fall.
“Growing up behind three other athletes in the family, I became very competitive,” Lucas said. “We want to beat each other at everything.
“Diving on the floor, getting the up, saving the point, starting a play ... libero is an important position on the court. I take pride in playing that role.”
Herron said Lucas will “eventually grow and develop into other roles and it will be fun watching that develop.”
A four-year starter at Butler, Lucas is a three-time All-WPIAL second team selection and has made three trips to nationals with her Revolution club team.
“I just love playing this game,” she said. “I'm happy to have the chance to keep going and further develop as a player.”
