Nov. 10, 2006

TheACC.com introduces you to the league's
athletes, coaches and administrators each week.

Taylor Parrish
Virginia Tech
Freshman
Volleyball
Hometown: Nashville Tennessee
Favorite flavor ice cream: Ben & Jerry's "Everything But The..."

As a freshman this year, Taylor leads the Virginia Tech volleyball team in kills (361), kills per game (3.76) and points (400.0) and points per game (4.17). She is also second in hitting percentage (.223). Taylor is sixth in the conference with 3.76 kills per game.

She currently sits third on the all-time freshman kill record list at Virginia Tech, behind Jennifer Schmidt (368 in 1992) and Lisa Pikalek (499 in 1989).

How did you get started playing volleyball?
I started in about 7th grade, honestly, I was trying to stay in shape for basketball. My 8th grade year, I asked the high school coach if I could try out for the team just to get better at volleyball and she turned me down. Then that summer, the high school team went to Georgia for a team camp and one of the freshmen couldn't go so I was allowed to go. And ever since then, I was on the team. I played high school since my 8th grade year.

What has been your greatest accomplishment so far as an athlete?
I guess it would have to be the MVP honors that I was given in the Hokie Invite especially because we played Appalachian state in the finals and everyone played so hard and came together to win in the fifth game against Appalachian state.

What do you still hope to accomplish in the future?
I hope that the Virginia tech team can make it to an NCAA appearance. We've been working really hard and we've been improving so much this year, but it might take one more year. Hopefully this year, but one more year to hopefully make it to the NCAA and make it to an appearance.

Who was your most influential role model?
I would have to say, I'm from Tennessee and I've always loved Wilma Rudolph. She had polio as a child and was never expected to walk, but then went to the Olympics and won like three gold medals so she was the most inspirational role model I've ever had.

What was the best advice you ever received from a coach?
Not to think too much. I have a tendency to think about every play and every aspect of a play too much and I get in my own head and can make a mistake, so for me it's just to play, not think too much and just play volleyball.

What's your most memorable moment in sports?
I would say as of this far, my senior year we were not expected to do anything in the state and we went to state and won the state championship.

What's it like to be a freshman leader on your team?
I guess my role right now as a freshman is just to get in the game and play my heart out and play well. Right now, I'm pretty vocal, but I'm not necessarily a vocal leader on the team, I'm just peppy. We have so many people on this team that have very specific goals, they are inspirational leaders, they are vocal leaders, and they are just the rock behind this team that is a staple piece on this team. I guess right now my role is just to be loud and be vocal, but I don't really think that all the leadership responsibilities rest on my shoulders as a freshman.

Why did you choose Virginia Tech?
My junior year I came for an official visit to Virginia Tech and I met the girls on the team and I absolutely loved them. The chemistry that I had with everyone on the team and the coaches, I loved that. I loved the campus; I thought it was absolutely beautiful. And they also had veterinary medicine which is the field I'm studying right now. I'm studying to be a vet. Those are basically the three aspects that made me choose Virginia Tech.