Jennifer Taylor '23 Recruiting Profile

Before finding volleyball I experimented with many different sports and activities. I tried basketball, soccer, softball, swimming, dancing, and cheerleading. I had so much fun and enjoyed doing all of these sports but I never really had a real passion for any. I started volleyball in fourth grade thinking it would just be another sport that I liked, but a few months in I realized the absolute love I had for volleyball. I have gone to nationals two times with my club team and we placed 11th in the USA division as of last year. Along with my volleyball training I do strength training at The Athlete's Playground with both my club and school volleyball teams. 

When I first started volleyball it took me a long time to figure out what position I belong in. I started as a setter then switched to a middle blocker, then moved to opposite, then progressed to outside. Throughout my volleyball journey I have dealt with a lot of doubt. People have always told me that I am too short or too thin to play volleyball, but every day I strive to prove these people wrong by working the hardest I can to play to my full potential and to the skill level I know I can be at. I had been with my club’s National 1’s team for three years, then this year I took a step down. I consider this a blessing because it allowed me to focus more on God, going to church, my grades and schoolwork, and my individual skill in many different positions. This year for school volleyball I moved up a team and played JV. I was the starting outside hitter and captain on this team and it was an incredible experience. 

Outside of volleyball I like taking pictures, hiking, and hanging out with my friends and people I love. One of my favorite things to do outside of volleyball is going to my church’s youth group. I have taken this year to improve my relationship with God and make it more personal. I have gone on a few mission trips with both my church and my school to places like Farmington, Questa, and Window Rock to help out and minister to the churches and schools there. I try to make God the center of everything in my life including my academic and volleyball life. 

School is very important to me and I have been working hard since I was very young to keep my grades up. I would like to continue to keep my grades and GPA up throughout my college experience.