RHS’ Freling flips commitment to NSU volleyball

Lorelei Freling can forget the U-Haul.

After initially committing as a preferred walk-on to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Ruston High’s departing libero will head to Natchitoches and join the Northwestern State volleyball program as a walk-on.

Freling was thrilled to not only have an opportunity with a Division I program but stay closer to home – going from potentially 10 hours away in Terre Haute, Indiana, to an hour and a half drive South.

“I really liked the facilities and the feel of the campus and just the proximity from home,” Freling said. “Overall, I liked how the coach talked about the program and how he talked about himself as the coach. He didn’t sugarcoat anything and was very straightforward, and I really liked that. It wasn’t what I call coach-speak or anything. Even if I asked a question, he’d tell me the answer, even if he knew it wasn’t the exact one I wanted to hear. I liked that.”

Freling signed her PWO offer with Rose-Hulman May 17, but a day later, she took a visit to her future home – thanks to a tip from Ruston volleyball coach Lucie Hunt.

After the Lady Demons lost multiple DS (defensive specialists) at the conclusion of the 2022 season, NSU head coach Sean Kiracofe reached out to Hunt to see if Freling was interested in coming to the program, having gotten wind of the former Bearcats’ impressive senior season.

In her final season at Ruston, Freling won District 2-5A Defensive Player of the Year with 383 digs and 54 service aces and helped the program reach the regional round of the LHSAA playoffs.

As a result, the Lady Demons came calling.

“I got a call from Coach Kiracofe and he said that some of their DS left and he liked (Lorelei),” Hunt said. “I thought she would be a perfect fit and it worked out in her favor, and I know she’s excited and is going to work hard.”

Freling and her family spent their visit to Natchitoches touring facilities, having lunch with Kiracofe, and eventually sitting down to talk through the offer.

NSU has one defensive specialist listed on its 2023 roster, giving Freling a real chance to compete with the team, and it would allow nearby family to see her at a DI program.

“It’s a lot closer to home and plus most of my games that they have on the schedule are in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi area where a lot of my extended family lives,” Freling said. “It was funny, we literally said if they called April 31, we would have been all in and excited right there. But it all worked out. I’m happy about it.”

The Lady Demons finished 19-13 last season, competing in the Southland Conference and finishing with a loss in the Southland tournament semifinals.

Kiracofe has been at NSU for eight seasons, making him the longest-tenured coach in program history.

To get acclimated on campus, Freling will take one summer course and join the team to lift weights and practice in the coming month – moving another step closer to fulfilling her DI dream.

“One of her goals and a lifelong dream of hers is to play college volleyball, and I know she’s going to bring her all to it,” Hunt said. “She lives and breathes the sport of volleyball.”