CALEDONIA — Caledonia volleyball senior Ivyaan Taylor signed her letter of intent to play for Itawamba Community College on Thursday in a ceremony at Caledonia High School.
Taylor started for three years under head coach Samantha Brooks and was a key contributor as a sophomore on the 2022 state championship team. She earned All-Division team honors as a junior and senior.
Her contributions were a product of years of work by Taylor, who first learned of the sport in Brooks’ elementary physical education class. She decided to try out without much experience and grew into a strong player by the time she reached the varsity level.
“I immediately started talking to her about volleyball and asked if she was interested,” Brooks said. “In middle school, when she tried out we were elated because you can’t teach height. In seventh, eighth and ninth grade she played and did a great job, and she really grew into her body. In her 10th grade year with our state championship group, she just rose above and beyond. She flourished as a standout player.”
Taylor didn’t just learn the ropes as a player in that team, but she learned what it meant to be a good leader and a good teammate from the seniors she was playing alongside. She credits that with her development, and what made her a standout recruit.
“I think the seniors in the Class of 2023 really showed me what it was to be a leader,” she said. “I learned what it means to be a good teammate.”
“Everybody loves Ivy,” Brooks added. “She’s so good with her teammates and was voted a captain this year, and she’s really a positive role model.”
Taylor will join an ICC program coached by Annie McGregor, who has strong knowledge of the talent in the Columbus area. She first saw Taylor while observing a practice, and has seen her play at varsity and club level with local team Level Elite Sports.
“I’ve always wanted to play college volleyball, and they actually reached out to me first,” Taylor said of her recruitment. “They were my first offer and I just love the coach, campus and student life there.”
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