Taylor made volleyball player
Montanna Taylor is this week’s Niagara College women’s female player of the week. Photo by RYAN MCCULLOUGH.
Montanna Taylor just can’t get enough volleyball.
The 18-year-old St. Catharines native enjoyed a productive volleyball career at Eden High School and has now taken her talents to the next level with the Niagara College Knights.
Taylor is off to a strong start in her rookie season and this week was named the college’s female athlete of the week. Taylor was a key factor in the Knights 3-1 home victory over the Redeemer Royals last week masterfully distributing the ball, recording 30 assists in just four sets of action. The Knights recorded 48 kills in the win, including a trio of Taylor’s teammates reaching double-digit kills on the night. The 48 kills is also the Knights second highest kill total of the season.
Taylor also got it done in all other facets of the game, recording season highs in kills (5), service aces (3), points (8), and digs (7).
“It definitely felt really good. I didn’t expect it at all,” Taylor said of the award. “I didn’t really know how to feel. It was awesome and was so appreciative to be honoured and appreciated by the school.
“I’m really happy to playing for the school so it’s nice to have recognition.”
Taylor loves the challenge of playing at the next level after suiting up at Eden, where the Flyers were perennial contenders for an Ontario championship.
“My high school career was very competitive. We had practices every day and we did a lot of tournaments,” she said. “My whole life is volleyball and that’s what I wanted. It’s my No. 1. It’s kind of like my job. It’s what I’m here to do. It consumes all my time and I’m totally happy about it.
“I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
Taylor, who previously also played at the club level for the Niagara Rapids and Niagara Rapids, said there are no easy games at the collegiate level.
“I went to OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) a couple of times in high school, but it’s a lot more consistent in league play,” she said. “In high school, it was easy to win our zone because we were so strong.
“There’s definitely a lot more competition in post-secondary and a lot more fun. It’s a challenge on how to play different teams and how to play their offence and defence. It’s increasing my volleyball IQ and that’s what I wanted.”
Taylor, who is enrolled in the general arts and sciences program this year and hopes to become a paramedic, loves being a setter.
“My role has been to do what I can to optimize our offence and make sure we can mould to everyone’s abilities and get everyone in use.”
She has managed to find a balance between the court and the classroom.
“The time management is definitely a lot different. I have to get used to scheduling when I have certain assignments. Thankfully, my program this year is not as difficult or time consuming so it’s helped me transition into the lifestyle.”
The Knights, 4-2, return to the court on Nov. 25 to take on the Sheridan Bruins. They will return for their final home match of the season’s first half on Nov. 29 against the Humber Hawks.
Coverage of the Niagara Knights is made possible with the support of the Niagara College Department of Athletics & Recreation. For more information, please visit www.goknights.ca
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