By: Nate Calvin
EDGERTON – With an assist early in the first set of a sectional final win over Antwerp on October 20, Edgerton Bulldog setter Taylor Smith became the first volleyball player ever to reach 1,000 career assists at Edgerton.
Along with the career assist record, Smith holds the Edgerton record for assists in a season.
Smith started playing volleyball in the fifth grade and has played club volleyball for Impact Volleyball Club and Excel Northwest Ohio Volleyball Club.
Academically, Smith is a member of NHS, FCA, Spanish Club, student council, and is vice president of Future Educators of America and holds a 4.0 GPA.
Smith encountered setbacks early in her high school career that made her wonder if this milestone was attainable.
“My sophomore year I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis and during my junior year it caused a lot of pain”, explained Smith.
“I started to get discouraged but never gave up on my team and I still played every game to my full potential.
“This accomplishment means a lot to me. Becoming the first ever person in Edgerton history to get 1,000 assists is something I am proud of.”
“This has always been a goal of mine ever since my freshman year, but with COVID, my back injuries and not running a 5-1 (formation) until this year, I started to lose hope.”
“However, I realized at the beginning of this season that this goal wasn’t out of reach. “So, I just worked hard and with the help of my teammates I was able to accomplish it.”
“This just goes to show no matter what life throws at you, never it let it define the person you are and don’t let it stop you from doing what you love”, concluded Smith.
“Taylor is a very focused player”, said head coach Krista Pahl. “Being the setter, she has a very tough job to keep all of her hitters happy. “You’ll never see her get flustered. She is very positive and encouraging to all her teammates.”
“She has become much more vocal and such a better leader”, said Pahl when talking about Smith’s improvements as a player.
“She has grown much more confident in being a leader. She will be very missed on not only the volleyball court, but basketball, track, and just in Edgerton schools in general”, Pahl added.
Upon graduation, Smith plans on obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Nursing with hopes of one day becoming a Pediatric Specialist.
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com
