Whitney Lauenstein on Grief, Motherhood & Her Return to Volleyball | Allez! Sports

Listener’s Note: This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. What happens when life forces you to step away from the game you love? In this episode of Side Out Society, Penn State outside hitter Whitney Lauenstein shares the deeply personal story behind one of college volleyball’s most talked-about journeys. From Nebraska to Texas to Penn State, Whitney opens up about navigating grief after losing her father to suicide, the difficult decision to step away from volleyball, and the courage it took to return on her own terms. She also shares how becoming a mother to her daughter, Layla, completely changed her perspective on sport, competition, and life. Whitney discusses balancing motherhood with Division I athletics, leaning on her fiancé Luke’s support, and why an all-women coaching staff at Penn State helped make Happy Valley feel like home. This is a conversation about resilience, healing, self-advocacy, and finding joy again when the path forward isn’t always clear. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. ____________________________________ Subscribe to our channel! 🛎️    / @allezsports   Allez! Sports is a global women's sports media company dedicated to women's sports coverage, athlete storytelling, and the moments that matter most. Subscribe for original documentaries, longform interviews, live coverage, talk show episodes, and weekly women's sports content featuring WNBA, volleyball, gymnastics, track and field, soccer, cricket, rugby, and more from around the world. Follow Allez! Sports: Instagram –   / allezsportstv   (@allezsportstv) TikTok –   / allezsportstv   Facebook –  / 61578048729408   ____________________________________ 📨 Sign up for our newsletter! – https://www.allezsports.com/newslette... 🛍️ Shop ALLEZ! - http://shop.allezsports.com ____________________________________