Huskies volleyball player, Ashley Lau, encompasses what it means to be a student-athlete. Since arriving at George Brown College in 2017, she has honed her skills both in the classroom and on the court. In addition to finding the program that will help her achieve her career goals, Lau has played an instrumental part in putting the Huskies Women's Volleyball Program back on the map.
Coming out of high school, the outside hitter didn't know which program or school to enroll in. She needed to find something that fit two criteria: close to home, and as a kinesthetic learner, something that was hands-on.
"George Brown is known for their hospitality and culinary programs, so I knew I was good hands on learner and since my program was only two years, I managed to [later] find another program [at George Brown] that related [closer] to what I wanted to do for a future career."
Even though Lau grew up playing numerous sports and had a true love for volleyball, she didn't play for the Huskies when she first arrived. Instead, she decided to take the time to focus on the transition to college, and the factors that came with it, such as balancing academics and a part-time job. It wasn't until she played recreationally the following summer that the fire reignited.
"I was also afraid to join the team, even though I [had] been offered [a spot]. Realizing how empty I felt without playing volleyball for almost a whole year, I found the passion for the sport again after my nine-man season in the summer," she stated. "I wanted to get better and stronger, so I decided that joining the Huskies women's volleyball team would give me new experiences, new insight, and new skills to get better at the sport."
Lau's all-around game really helped push the team in the right direction in the 2018-2019 season. They finished with an 8-10 record and placed 5th in the East Division, which qualified them for the program's first cross-playoff match since the program was inaugurated in 2006-2007. The very next season, they took another massive step. With Lau nearly at the top in every statical category for the squad, the Huskies ended with a program-best 11-7 record and placed fourth in the East Division. It marked the first time the program hosted a playoff match.
"A lot of last season's success came down to chemistry. Many girls stayed on the team from the previous season and it helped us build on our team cohesion instead of starting from scratch with completely new squad," she explained. "Another factor is the effort we put in off the court to bond with our teammates. Our team wouldn't be successful without the coaching staff either. They have been really supportive and went out of their way to accommodate our team. The amount of commitment put into practices from both coaches and players was also what made us successful."
Off the court, Lau completed her two-year baking and pastry program. She enjoyed everything she learned, but was still unsure what career to pursue. This led her to look at more programs at George Brown College. Since business was her strongest subject in high school and she loves a hands-on and interactive experience, she enrolled in the Hospitality and Tourism program.
Juggling and managing everything that comes with being a student-athlete can be extremely difficult. Yet, despite all the craziness that comes with being a student-athlete, Lau found a healthy balance and dominated in the classroom. Her hard work has led to her receiving a scholarship from George Brown College for three straight years.
"My goal off the court is to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Being successful off the court is most important. Knowing I tried my best and did everything I could for my marks is what makes me successful off the court. That includes not procrastinating, staying focused, and being able to survive the school year by maintaining stress levels," she explained. "Being able to balance school, work, and volleyball is hard to achieve, but it's not impossible."
Lau has a career goal in mind and believes George Brown College as a whole has put her on the path to achieve it.
"My dream career would be to work for Disney. Otherwise, doing event planning or hotel management at a resort, such as Great Wolf Lodge, is the career I hope to do in the future," she said. "George Brown College is well known for their hospitality programs, [and has] former students currently working for big organizations. The education I recieved at GBC provides all the necessities to be successful and prepared for the world after we graduate."
The evolution over the last three years is evident. Lau found a field she is passionate about and is well on her way to her dream job, all while being a key cog in setting up the volleyball program for greater things to come.
