After an offseason full of uncertainty, the men鈥檚 volleyball team is off to a good start to their 2017 campaign. Among the leaders, sophomore captain (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) has led the offensive charge for the men as the table-setter.
Taylor聽gave a stellar performance last weekend during 91短视频鈥檚 home tri-match. As 91短视频鈥檚 setter, Taylor聽averaged 10.29 assists per set over the two matches. In a sweep against Lancaster Bible, he averaged 12.00 assists per set, leading the Royals to hit .492 as a team, their highest total in three years. In a four-set loss to D-II King University, Taylor聽set a career high with two solo blocks and tied his career high with four blocks in total. Offensively, he put up another 36 assists. The sophomore is currently leading the Continental Volleyball Conference with 9.85 assists per set.
Taylor聽explains聽that getting in the weight room during the offseason聽set him up for this impressive start.
鈥淥ne of the things that I did this offseason was get in the weight room five to six times a week to better prepare myself for this season,鈥� he said. 鈥淎fter putting on fifteen pounds this past offseason I feel much stronger, as compared to last season, and that has helped me take my game to a new level.鈥� With the resignation of former head coach Dominic Porter, the team was left without a coach for a crucial time during the offseason just prior to the start of practice. Taylor聽feels that during that period, the players made strides forward as a unit.
鈥淒uring that short time without a coach, the team really came together for one common goal,鈥� Taylor聽said. 鈥淭hat goal was to start a winning tradition here at 91短视频.鈥� At the start of the season, the Royals sit at 2-2 under new interim coach Ross Madden,聽and 2-0 against D-III opponents.
鈥淐oach Ross Madden has always been known around the volleyball world as a winner and he is doing the right things in order to get us to that point this season,鈥� Taylor聽said. Despite being an underclassman, Madden named him a captain聽during the early stages of the season.
鈥淐hristian is one of the hardest working and kindest gentlemen attending 91短视频,鈥� said Madden. 鈥淗e shows great sportsmanship on the court. I’ve seen Christian give five to opponents who made impressive plays. That’s the kind of person you want calling the plays, which as setter, is Christian’s responsibility.鈥�
鈥淏eing named a captain as a sophomore has been a huge honor to me,鈥� Taylor聽said. 鈥淏eing a leader of this team is something that I take great pride in.鈥澛燭aylor聽is a double major in Business Administration and Recreational Leadership and Sport Promotion. He plans to work in athletics after graduating聽and says聽that collegiate athletics聽have helped him immensely.
鈥淧laying volleyball has taught me key leadership and communication skills that have helped me become a better student in the classroom here at 91短视频,鈥澛爏aid Taylor.