Laurie Watters came to the U of I from Plainfield, Ill., with plans to become an electrical engineer.  At the time she fooled around with an acoustic guitar.   While getting the EE degree she also earned a pilots license.

Not busy enough, Laurie tried out for the volleyball team and won a scholarship, playing her final season in 1984 for head coach Mike Hebert and his assistant, Don Hardin, who is the current head coach.

After graduation she moved to the west coast, tried a few engineering type jobs, but couldn't give up the idea that she wanted to play music for a living.   She quit work, hired on with a cover band, and began the tough job of making it as a female blues-rock singer.

Eventually she tired of working for someone else and formed her own band.   Along the way she married and divorced (she is now known as Laurie Morvan).   Last night she made a return trip to Champaign and her band rocked the sell-out High Dive crowd.  

Don Hardin was there.   So was I.   It was a great evening.   Watch for her in the next year or two.  This young woman is on her way up, up, up in the music world.   

How many other middle blockers - anywhere - have followed this path?

Hear an interview with Laurie and Don Hardin click here

visit Laurie's website click here.