Herald-Dispatch

February 17, 2006
Section: Sports
Edition: Final
Page: 1B
 

Strickland signs with Marshall
Robyn Rison
The Herald-Dispatch

By ROBYN RISON 

The Herald-Dispatch
rrison@herald-dispatch.com
SPRING VALLEY -- Taylor Strickland gave up a lot of things -- like other sports and free time -- to be a good volleyball player.

Thursday at a ceremony, including lots of friends and family, in the Spring Valley High School library Strickland got something back -- the promise of getting to play for four more years. Strickland signed a National Letter of Intent to play college volleyball at Marshall beginning this fall. She made school history by becoming the first SVHS volleyball player to sign with a Division I program.

"It's relieving," she said. "I don't have to worry about choosing anymore. I like the girls, and I've been around Marshall since I was in seventh grade. I know the system."

Strickland, an all-state performer, led the Timberwolves to back-to-back Class AAA state tournament appearances in 2004 and 2005. As a senior she was all-state, all-conference, a Wendy's High School Heisman winner, a member of the West Virginia Regional Sports Network Dynamic Dozen and was on three all-tournament teams.

Strickland, who has also played club volleyball with the River Cities Thunder organization, will be the only West Virginia player on the Herd's roster in 2006.

"We're very excited to have a player of Taylor's caliber from the state of West Virginia come to join our program," Marshall coach Mitch Jacobs said. "Taylor's talent level speaks for itself. We look for her ability in the back row to help us, and she could potentially set for us in the future."

Strickland looked at other schools, but she's always had a soft spot in heart for Marshall. Once she began playing volleyball in the seventh grade at Buffalo Middle School she knew it was the sport for her. From then on she has worked toward earning a place on a college roster.

Spring Valley coach Joy Bailey said there was little doubt that Strickland was going to make it.
"Taylor has a lot of drive, and she's very determined," Bailey said. "She'll be successful at Marshall because of those qualities.

"She's a leader and like having a coach on the floor. I know she wants to be a doctor, but I think she'll be a coach in some aspect."

She already is. In addition to playing volleyball, Strickland, who plans major in pre-med at Marshall, has actively worked with youth clinics and leagues and coached with the Special Olympics.

Whether she's playing or coaching, Strickland just can't get enough of her favorite sport.
"I've always had a passion for it," she said. "I caught on quick and worked at it so much. I just felt that's what I was best at."

As good as she's been, Strickland expects to have to work even harder and wait her turn on what should be another powerful and veteran Marshall team. She doesn't mind though, as long as she gets to keep playing.