Taylor Ranked No. 12 in NAIA Preseason Poll
UPLAND, Ind. – The TU Volleyball program received its highest preseason ranking since 2012, coming in at No. 12, as the NAIA released its Preseason Top-25 poll on Wednesday morning.
Taylor finished last season ranked 11th after a historic season for the program, which saw it claim the Crossroads League regular season and tournament titles. The Trojans were a force inside Odle Arena, going a perfect 17-0, including a win in the NAIA Opening Round.
Grace Ieremia and Jaylynn Dunsmore were a force in the middle for the Trojans, combining for over 250 blocks throughout the season. Ieremia was second in the NAIA in total blocks with 171, while she finished third in the nation with 1.34 blocks per set. The junior collected five Crossroads League Defender-of-the-Week honors and was named Honorable Mention All-Crossroads League after an excellent debut season for the Trojans. Dunsmore added 256 kills to 91 blocks during a terrific sophomore season.
McKaylah Flagle led the team in digs and digs per set with 444 and 3.29, respectively. Flagle excelled in the defensive specialist role, earning a place on the Crossroads League All-Freshman Team.
Jen Springer shined in her role as the libero for the Trojans after transferring from Purdue Fort Wayne. Springer picked up 173 digs and 23 service aces on the back line. Lindsay Springer decided to follow her sister to Taylor after a season at UNC Asheville, where she led the team in assists with 428 and was second in both service aces and digs with 18 and 165, respectively.
The Trojans open the season on Friday, August 18, with a pair of matches against No. 7 Viterbo and IU South Bend in the Onset Invitational hosted by Saint Francis.