Volleyball has been a part of Laura’s life since her high school days in Bedford,
New York. She went on to play collegiately at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts. Knowing when she started her career in education, that a career in coaching volleyball would be a big part of it. For the past 32 years our volleyball community has been fortunate to participate in Laura’s amazing journey here in Connecticut with 28 of those years at Farmington High School.
Laura’s career record is 519-172 (469-153 at Farmington High School). Highlights at Farmington High School include 2 Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) State Championships (2014 & 2023) and runner up 3 times (2009, 2013 & 2016), 11 Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) titles, 2 International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Annual Girls VolleyHall Elite High School Tournament Championships held in Springfield, Massachusetts and a John Jay Invitational Championship in Cross River, New York.
Accolades recently awarded to Coach Arena include being chosen as the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2020 and a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Coach of the Year in 2020 earning a fabulous experience in Nebraska. As a valued member of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference committee since 2013, Laura also has been the Chairperson for the CCC since 2012. Running a youth summer volleyball camp for the past 15 years, as well as coaching in the Husky Volleyball Club program are additional contributions made by Coach Arena.
Laura is most proud of the role she has played in growing stronger, healthier female student-athletes for the past 32 years, focusing on the larger picture beyond high school athletics. Each season she looks forward to building a rapport with her team and challenging them to achieve their goals. Laura has continued to inspire her student athletes over an impressive 3 decades.
High school coaches Mike Galu, Stu Wahl and Steve Powis are credited for profoundly impacting Laura’s career. The thought of playing soccer in college was removed through the wisdom and excitement that they shared with her about the “greatest team sport there is – I fell in love with volleyball” Laura shares.
Laura and her daughter Abby will be running the Tokyo Marathon in March which will complete the sixth star for the six World Major Marathons. They have already completed New York, Boston, Chicago, London, and Berlin. Laura remarks that, “It has been the most treasured, challenging, and wonderful experience and to share it with my daughter is the best!”.