Beyond the roar of the gym and the demands of practice lies another kind of adventure — one that begins not with a whistle, but with the turning of a page. For Lubbock Christian volleyball player
Drea Laughlin, books have always been a doorway, much like the wardrobe that led to Narnia, opening into worlds of courage, escape, and discovery.
"Reading gives me an escape from my everyday busyness of life," Laughlin said. "Sometimes a little too much of an escape, and I need to put my book down and be productive."
As part of the annual writing carnival and reading marathon at LCU, Laughlin and the rest of the Lubbock Christian community are encouraged to find inspiration and escape in the pages of some of their favorite stories.
The 2023 event was themed around The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of books that Laughlin remembers reading in elementary school.
"There are so many lessons to take away from Narnia, but I think bravery is a big one," Laughlin said. "I think we could all be a little braver in our faith. Even if we don't think we know enough, we can all take up what courage we have and lead someone to the Lord."
Lessons from literature
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That's what Laughlin loves most about reading — the lessons.
Whether it's Narnia, Harry Potter, or any of the other novels she's read over the years, Laughlin has taken bits and pieces from each one and applied them to her own life. The challenges and triumphs of the characters she reads about give her a unique perspective on the challenges she faces as a student-athlete.
"Reading novels, especially fictional ones, makes me believe that every challenge has a solution," she said. "I'm not out here defying death or anything, but if the characters in my book can find ways out of impossible challenges, then I can find a solution in my day-to-day life."
Even though she's not wielding a sword and fighting off dragons, Laughlin is still battling on the court. Whether it's a game-winning point or a come-from-behind victory, the lessons she's learned from reading have helped her become a better leader and teammate.
"Reading not only gives me an escape, but it introduces me to new ideas and words that I try to integrate into my everyday life," she said. "For me, it's more of an escape, but I also get to reap the benefits of working on my mind."
Making time for reading
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With her busy schedule, Laughlin doesn't have as much time to read as she used to. But she still finds time to pick up a good book whenever she can.
"It's been harder to read throughout the day, but I still love to read at night or on Sundays when I have time off," she said. "I'm a sucker for a happily ever after."
For Laughlin, reading is more than just a hobby — it's a way of life. It's a way to unwind, learn, and grow as a person. And as a student-athlete, it's a way to stay sharp and focused on the court.
"I think it's very important for us to find time to engage in the campus activities and events," she said. "That's how you can escape the day-in and day-out grind."
Finding the time to attend these events can be a challenge in itself, but Laughlin is grateful for the opportunities she has to participate in events like the Writing Carnival and Reading Marathon.
"I love the writing carnival events," she said. "I've been going to them since I was a kid. My favorite was when my dad read The Princess Bride at 2 a.m."
Laughlin's father, Andy, is a faculty member at LCU and has been involved in the writing carnival activities for years. Laughlin remembers listening to him read The Princess Bride and feeling like the story came to life in a whole new way.
"I will never forget my dad reading that scene," she said. "That's one of my mom and I's favorite movies. We would watch it on sick days home from school. Listening to the book on the steps made it come to life in a whole new way."
A world of possibilities
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As she continues her college volleyball career, Laughlin is excited to see what the future holds.
Whether it's on the court or in the pages of a good book, she's ready to take on whatever challenges come her way.
"I would recommend The Princess Bride to anyone," she said. "There is action, romance, sports, death, adventure. There's something for everyone, and I know how impactful it can be to listen to!"
Like the great stories she loves, Laughlin's own journey as a student-athlete is about more than victories on the court. It's about faith, courage, and finding light in unexpected places. And just as the best books are meant to be shared, she carries that light into her team, her campus, and her community — proving that the right story can inspire us all to live a little braver.
And at LCU, that's exactly what the Writing Carnival and Reading Marathon are all about.
