Female Spotlight Athlete of the Week Laney Lafferty
Nov. 6—Name: Laney Lafferty
School: Bedford
Age: 17
Grade: 12
Sport: Volleyball
Parents: David Lafferty, of Buffalo Mills, and Jennifer Lafferty, of Bedford
Athletic achievements: Bedford's all-time leader in assists (over 1,500), 2022 Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 2A all-state selection, Bedford Gazette all-county first team, 2022 District 5 Class 2A first-team pick, 2022 team MVP, 2023 team captain, 2021 District 5 Class 2A and Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference champions and over 100 aces.
Coach's quote: "Laney Lafferty is one of the hardest working, motivated players I've ever had the opportunity to work with. Her accomplishments in high school speak for themselves. They include being an all-state setter, the career assists record-holder at Bedford, a 2021 LHAC champion, 2021 District 5-2A champion and being named to several all-star teams. Laney will be missed at Bedford, but there is no doubt with her work ethic she will have great success in her future endeavors." — Bedford volleyball coach John Porta
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite movie: "After"
Favorite book: "Hunger Games"
Favorite food: Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Favorite teacher (subject taught): Mr. Turner, biology
Favorite song: "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" by Toby Keith
Favorite app on your phone: TikTok
Outside interests: 4-H Club and club volleyball
If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?: I would be a pig. Pigs are my favorite animal and they don't have a care in the world other than to just have fun and be happy.
Favorite athletic team: University of Nebraska volleyball
Athlete most admired: Nebraska setter Bergen Reilly
Most influential people on my athletic career: Mike Kraft and Erin Lutz
Most impressive athlete that you have competed against: Tyrone junior libero Kylee Nelson
Proudest athletic achievement: 2022 PVCA all-state selection or breaking the school record for assists
How I got my start: When I was younger, I would always watch my older sister play for her school and club teams. I also would always pepper with her in the yard in our free time.
I would like to go to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree in early childhood education to become an elementary school teacher. Hopefully, I will be able to coach volleyball at some point, too. — Jake Oswalt
