Taylor Valentine '16 Recruiting Profile

Hello, my name is Taylor Valentine.  I am currently entering my Sophomore year at Galion High School.  Since I was 3 days old, I have grown up around the game of volleyball, and it continues to be my passion and love.  I have grown up in the gym due to my mom and family being involved in coaching volleyball.  Since I can remember, my goal after graduating high school in 2016, has been to play volleyball at the collegiate level, and I am willing to do what ever it takes to make that dream come true. 

I first started playing competitive volleyball as a 3rd grader, when I played on a 12U club team named MOJO out of Mansfield, Ohio.  I have played on both Regional and National teams through MOJO Volleyball Club for the past 6 years, and just recently finished my first club season with Oiler Attack Volleyball Club out of Findlay, Ohio for Coach Maggie Naayers 16 Black.  

As a freshman at Galion High School, I was a varsity letter winner in all three of my sports as a freshman:  volleyball, basketball, and track.  On my high school volleyball team this past season, I was a starting left-side hitter who also played left-back defense.  My team finished 2nd in our Conference, and made it to D2 Sectional Finals during the 2012 season.  Our team goal for 2013 is to be conference champs, and go even further in the tournament!  

Although my first love is volleyball, I also enjoy playing basketball.  On my high school basketball team, I play wing and post.  One exciting highlight during my 2013 basketball season occurred when my team made the Ohio state record books by making 15 three-point shots in a single game.  I feel that being a multi-sport athlete has helped me become an all around better volleyball player and teammate, because it not only increases my speed, agility, and jumping abilities, but also helps me understand the different roles I may have on a team.

While playing for Oiler Attack Volleyball Club this past club season, I was also busy as a member of the GHS track team where I ran 100 hurdles (PR 16.67), 300 hurdles (PR 50.15), relays, and also high jumped (PR 4' 10").  During my freshman track season, I was runner-up in the 100H, and helped my 4X400 relay team earn a 4th place finish at the D2 District Track & Field Championships in Fostoria, these two finishes qualified me for the 2013 Regional meet in Lexington.  In addition to receiving all county (Crawford) and conference (North Central Conference) honors in those events, I was also awarded the 2013 Most Overall Track Points for my varsity girls track team.  My future goals for track are to place at Regionals, and qualify and place at State.

I am a dedicated student, as well as athlete, and have an interest in pursuing a degree in the medical field.  Along with sports, I am also a member of my high school concert choir program.  I have also been actively involved in student council since middle school, and was the freshman class president this past school year.  While I'm not spending time playing sports and studying, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and love listening to music.  

Thank you for your consideration, 

Taylor R. Valentine