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By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor

Former Wichita State standout Sara Lungren signed a contract on Monday with Leonas de Ponce, a professional volleyball team in Puerto Rico, for one season.

Lungren, a standout at Caldwell, told the Shocker coaching staff that she wanted to play professionally after college, but initially wanted to wait until as least this fall before starting. However, she received a call last Friday from an agency that places players internationally and they told her there was a roster spot available for a team in Puerto Rico.

"I told them that I was interested, but I needed to know more about it," Lungren said. "It kind of went from there."

Lungren was sold on Leonas de Ponce's reputation and tradition.

"It's had pretty good records," she said. "I don't how long the league has been in existence. The league is getting more and more popular and everybody who's been sent to this particular team hasn't had any particular complaints."

Lungren said that she spent much of the holiday break working out and felt that made her decision to sign easier.

"I'm not always going to be young or in volleyball shape. So, I figured now is as good as any time," she said. "It's kind of a trial run for me."

Leonas de Ponce's season runs from Jan. 25-April. Lungren is leaving for Puerto Rico today.

Each team in the Superior League, including Leonas de Ponce, is allowed one or two international players. Right now, Lungren in the only player from the United States on the team. But she said that the team is interesting in signing a player from California.

Lungren added that she will re-evaluate herself after the season and determine at that time whether to continue playing professionally. If so, she would like to play in either Europe or Asia.

"A lot of players, even the best ones in the country will go down to Puerto Rico and play, and then from there, they'll go to Europe," she said. "I was thinking Europe initially. I'd never really thought about Puerto Rico. I'll think about going to Europe or going to a team in Korea (after the season in Puerto Rico is finished)."

During her senior season at Wichita State, Lungren was named Missouri Valley Player of the Year for the second straight season and recently an honorable mention All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, the second Shocker player to earn All-American honors. She was also named to the all-Central Region team. She averaged 3.21 kills, 0.31 aces, 2.82 digs and 0.66 blocks per game this season.