When Plant City High volleyball needed captain Taylor Harrell to move to an unfamiliar position, right side hitter, this season, Harrell took it in stride. Head coach Cathy Martin says Harrell’s positive attitude has had a positive effect on the team, which started the 2016 season with a 2-1 record.
What are the challenges of moving from setter to right side hitter?
Just kind of getting to know the rotations, getting to know the feel of hitting versus setting. I’m trying to do my best and keep up.
What does it take to be a leader on this team?
I just definitely try to lead (the girls) as one of them. I try to set a good example on the court, trying as hard as I can, hustling to get to every ball. Also, I try to set an example off the court. Academically, I try to always get my homework done before games and set a good example that way.
How long have you been with the team?
I played on JV my freshman year, and on varsity my sophomore, junior and, now, senior years.
What’s the most fun thing about playing with this team?
Getting to play with all the girls. We’re all such good friends. Getting to hang out after school and play such a fun sport together, it’s great.
Have things been different since coach Martin took over last year, or did she continue to do things coach (Jessica) Thornton did?
She’s definitely continued the great tradition coach Thornton had. Coach Martin was actually my coach in seventh grade — she was my club coach — so that was exciting, getting to have her back. I was familiar with her coaching style, so I hopped back into it. The other girls seem to love her, as well.
How long have you played volleyball?
Since seventh grade, so five years.
What made you start?
My sister started playing, and I thought I might as well go ahead and give it a try. I just fell in love with it.
Is there any sport you’ve never played, but wanted to?
I’ve never played softball, but I always thought it would be cool. My mom played it in college, and my dad played baseball in college, but I never did softball.
What’s your GPA?
Pretty good. I believe it’s a low six, somewhere in that range. I’m in the top 10 in my class, so I was excited about that. I’m taking AP courses and dual enrollment, and I’m going to start applying for colleges soon.
What’s your dream school?
Princeton. We went on a college tour, we visited a bunch of colleges this summer, and Princeton was definitely my favorite.
Do you know what you’d want to major in?
I want to major in biomedical engineering.
What’s your proudest moment as a Lady Raider?
Being named captain my junior and then senior year. It was just such an honor to be able to receive that distinction. I was really proud and really happy that I would be able to be in a leadership position to guide some of my other teammates.
What advice would you give for someone just starting out in volleyball?
Stick with it. It’s not a sport you can learn overnight. Any mistakes you make, just kind of learn from them and keep at it. It’s never going to be something you can’t be good at. As long as you practice and put your best into it, you can become a good player.
If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?
Bethany Hamilton. She was the surfer who had her arm bitten off by a shark when she was young. Just seeing how she went through such a tragedy, but her faith in God led her through such a crisis and she was able to pursue surfing, even after that. She was able to become a professional surfer. The determination, drive and willpower and just the faith she showed throughout her whole life is just incredible.