The work was worth it for Bauer

Lydia Bauer was never too proud to dig a volleyball or loft one up high to a teammate, even though the lefty hit hard enough and accurately enough to have someone consistently set up her at the net.

She was never too full of herself to dive for a loose ball, pass to a teammate or accept the job of being a shutdown defender, even though she could drop 20-plus points on an opponent on any given night.

So what has the selfless star been doing since playing her last game as a Lake Zurich athlete last winter?

Dirty work, of course.

When she wasn't busy with the final couple of months of her high school life, she was working 15 hours a week as a shampoo assistant at Avalon Salon and Day Spa in Deer Park.

"It's a lot of laundry, washing hair and doing shampoos," said Bauer, who worked on Sundays during the volleyball and basketball seasons.

Those who watched her dish volleyballs and basketballs can attest that she has soft hands.

Bauer's volleyball and basketball talents, her ability to lead her teams to great success and her unselfishness make her the Daily Herald's Lake County female athlete of the year for the 2008-09 school year.

She was named Lake County captain of the all-area volleyball and basketball teams. Between the two sports, she walked off the court a winner 61 times her senior year.

"I know a lot of schools and teams don't get the chance to play in a regional final or have a winning season," said Bauer, a four-year varsity player in both of her sports. "So to be able to do that in two sports was great. Especially for my senior year."

In directing the Bears to a 33-4 season and regional-final berth on the volleyball court, the 6-foot Bauer was the rare setter who was also a legitimate threat at the net. She chalked 115 kills, 132 digs, 63 blocks and 61 aces, while dishing out 481 assists.

And she's not a club player, mind you. If so, or if she committed to volleyball as her No. 1 sport, Lake Zurich coach Matt Aiello said Bauer could be a setter at a Big Ten school.

Instead, she'll play Division I basketball for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She signed her letter of intent before the season, then went out and averaged 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2 steals per game. She led the Bears to a 28-6 record and North Suburban Conference and regional championships.

Bauer played underlevel softball as a freshman and sophomore. She claims she was "nothing great."

Sure.

Surely, the athletic left-handed hitter would have found a way to contribute on the varsity. She knew her heart wouldn't be in it, however, so she opted not to play the last two years.

"Softball is the last sport I learned to play," she said. "It's always been my third sport."

A week from Sunday, she drives up to UW-Green Bay to start summer school and before long will be focusing on her first sport again - basketball

She's excited about it. After all, she loves to work.