CRESTVIEW — Whitley Taylor, a senior at Baker School, is among North Okaloosa students playing in the Nov. 17 volleyball All-Star game in Pensacola.
Baker volleyball coach Kathy Combest cited Taylor's skill on defense as a reason she was selected for the All-Star team. "She's a defensive specialist," Combest said. "Her quickness and ability to get the ball" as a libero were keys to Baker's offense.
Here we catch up with Taylor.
What's the best part of playing volleyball?
The best part for me is building a relationship with the people that I play with and continuing it after the season ends.
What's the worst part of playing volleyball?
The worst part is losing; like, obviously, I hate to lose.
What do you think are the strong points of your game?
I'm a libero, so reading hitters is fairly easy to me. The easiest thing is reading people and watching their body (to see how they're going to return the ball across the net).
How are you preparing for the All-Star match?
It's a two-week break (between) my season and the All-Star game so I've stayed in the gym working with my coaches. I'm a part of the weightlifting team so I do that … I've been in the gym serving, passing, that sort of thing, so I don't lose that touch.
How old were you when you started playing volleyball?
I believe I was 11 or 12.
What other sports do you play?
I do weightlifting.
Are you planning on playing at the college level?
If I got an offer, I would definitely take it. I'm talking to my coaches about putting some film together for me, and if I got the offer to play then I would definitely take it.
What volleyball team would you love to play for?
FSU (Florida State University at Tallahassee). I've been to their camps almost every year since middle school, and some of the players I'm familiar with have already graduated.
What are your hobbies outside of volleyball?
Weightlifting. I lift every day, even if I wasn’t part of the team. I work out a lot. Anything outdoors I like to do. I like to go to the beach, hang out with family, stuff like that.
What is your favorite movie?
I watched a new movie that's out. It's called "Hacksaw Ridge." That was really good.
What is your favorite music group?
I'm going to have to say Beyonce — like number one of all time.
North Okaloosa players joining Whitley Taylor on the East All-Stars team Nov. 17 in Pensacola are:
- Taylor Brunson of Baker School
- Cailey Ness and Kierra Potts of Crestview High School
- Rachel Welsh of Laurel Hill School
The East team includes students from Central, Choctawhatchee, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, Navarre, Niceville, Pace and Rocky Bayou high schools. They will face West team players from Catholic, East Hill, Escambia, Northview, Pensacola Christian, Pensacola, Pine Forest, Tate, Washington and West Florida high schools.
North Okaloosa's volleyball All-Stars
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 10 questions with Baker's Whitley Taylor