Henrik Falck Lauten has provided a much-needed spark to a Penn State team that has endured a gauntlet of a non-conference schedule. The Nittany Lions have already played three top 10 teams, a number that will increase to five after this weekend's road slate against top-ranked Long Beach State and sixth-ranked UC Santa Barbara.
Falck Lauten, a junior transfer from Warner University (Fla.), has been part of an almost entirely new Penn State starting lineup with junior right side Cal Mende and junior setter Luke Braswell both injured. However, inexperience hasn't been a factor and he has been arguably Penn State's best player over the past two weeks, having posted three consecutive 11-kill games.
Penn State head coach Mark Pavlik and his staff had been enamored with Falck Lauten's potential as a 6-foot-5 outside hitter with imposing athleticism. His physical tools combined with his high-volleyball IQ and sharp focus have particularly resonated with Pavlik.
"Whenever he fully embraces his physicality, he's really good," Pavlik said. "There are times where I think he falls into a safe mode of 'I don't want to be blocked or I'm not going to be physical with my jump serve'…but there's no doubt in my mind that he is a handful to defend. He's continuing to grow and it'll be interesting to see him in another month or so."
Falck Lauten's quick assimilation to Penn State has been all the more impressive since he has only been living in the United States for three years. A native of Drammen, Norway, Falck Lauten decided to forgo playing professionally in his homeland in order to pursue a college education in the United States while also utilizing an opportunity to continue playing volleyball.
Norway does not offer the college experience or collegiate athletics that is often taken for granted in the United States. He spent two years playing at Warner for Steve Benson, who is a close friend of Pavlik's. Falck Lauten had been accustomed to traveling frequently for beach volleyball tournaments and for his parents' jobs throughout his life, so after his two seasons at Warner he naturally began to explore opportunities for a new experience.
"Since I had been traveling so much with my beach volleyball, I was kind of craving this new experience of doing something new," Falck Lauten said. "Plus, I though, 'I'm only here for four or five years so I might as well get everything out of it.'"
Benson and Pavlik spoke extensively once Falck Lauten reached out to Penn State and looked to transfer from Warner. Benson raved about his physical tools and Pavlik was equally impressed from what Falck Lauten showed on tape. Pavlik saw a guy with a lot of physical potential, along with someone whose experience could help his other newcomers.
Another one of Falck Lauten's motives for transferring to Penn State was the academic appeal. He is an economics major and while he has always wanted to play professional volleyball, he has shifted his focus to obtaining a work visa in the United States after graduating.
While his priorities have shifted since arriving in the United States, Falck Lauten is open to returning to Norway to play professional beach volleyball for his team, which is ranked No. 1 in the world.
For now, Falck Lauten remains completely focused on his current team, which will begin EIVA play next weekend. While the Nittany Lions have not beaten any of their ranked opponents yet, Falck Lauten remains confident about his team's ability to compete with the elite programs in the nation.
"We've obviously been better at serve and pass, but I'd say our attitude mentally on the court towards each other and just helping each other out has also improved. A big thing we do is try to not look at the scoreboard and just play," Falck Lauten said.
With Braswell and Mende out, there have been growing pains with all the new faces, but Falck Lauten said that the team chemistry development is much easier with a group of guys that are very competitive.
"Obviously it would've been nice to have played with these guys a little longer, but when you know they're going to do their job and give 100 percent, there's nothing else you can do," Falck Lauten said. "The pieces are starting to come together but there is still a long way to go."
