Freshman Setter Brings Winning Tradition To Lady Sharks

Kelsey Taylor knows winning.

Taylor, a 5-foot-6 setter originally from Dallas, Texas, managed to make the All-Dade National Team during her senior year at Westminster Christian while leading the school team to a 3A Volleyball State Championship.

“Winning states was such a moment of relief for all of us. We all worked so hard to get there and finally reaching our goal felt amazing,” Taylor said. “There is no better feeling than being able to say you were the best volleyball team in 3A that year. ”

The Miami Dade College volleyball team is counting on Taylor to bring her winning ways to its squad as a freshman starter. Taylor is one of eight freshmen on this year’s team.

Taylor, 18, has been playing volleyball since she was 11-years-old and hasn’t looked back.

“I chose volleyball because my mother played volleyball and I was always inspired to do the same,” Taylor said .

She has had success in the sport throughout her career. In high school, Taylor’s hard work did not go unnoticed. She was considered one of the best in South Florida at her position and attended some of the best volleyball tournaments that Miami has to offer including the Sixth Annual Smoothie King Tournament.

Taylor hopes to have the same amount of success at the collegiate level and aspires to bring a National Junior College Athletic Association volleyball championship to MDC. The team hasn’t won one since 2004.

Head Coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit thinks Taylor has a lot of potential. He is excited to help her reach her goals.

“She started working with us during the summer and, although she is a freshman, I have high expectations for her to run a good offense because she is smart, very coachable, and always eager to learn,” Benoit said.