Big swings and bigger dreams.
It’s what has taken Nikki Taylor to All-America volleyball status in both indoor (second team) and beach (twice). The next step for the Hawaii junior opposite would be the U.S. national team, which could begin later this week at the open tryouts at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The reigning Big West Player of the Year is one of 231 players from 88 colleges who will be evaluated by national team coach Karch Kiraly and staff for spots on the national senior and collegiate teams during four sessions from Friday through Sunday. Selected players then will move on to the training center in Anaheim, Calif., whenever the athlete’s school year or professional club season has concluded, as early as May. It is unlikely any player from this tryout would be considered for the Olympic team; the U.S. already has qualified for the Rio Games this summer.
Taylor’s invitation came via an email from Kiraly to Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji in December. The email expressed USA Volleyball’s interest “to come to this specific tryout,” Taylor said. “I talked it over with Dave and Robyn (assistant coach Ah Mow-Santos, the national team setter for three Olympics).
“At first it was excitement and nerves, but Dave always has this steady reassurance. He reminded me of my skill set and reminded me that I haven’t reached my full potential.”
Said Shoji: “This will be an opportunity to show her skills to the USA staff. She is a little under the radar with them, but they know she has the potential to contribute at some point to the program.”
The 6-foot-4 Taylor leaves today and returns Monday. Besides classes she also will miss several practices with the Rainbow Wahine beach team, which opens the season March 5-6 at the Pepperdine Kickoff Tournament at Zuma Beach, Calif.
“The (beach) coaches and players are very understanding,” Taylor said. “They all understand that I’m here for indoor first and what this opportunity means for my indoor career.
“Right now my focus is on the digestible goals, finishing classes, getting on the plane, being well rested. It’s not on, ‘Wow, can I make the national team?’”
The Kaiser High graduate was fifth in the NCAA last season in points per set (5.48), which combines kills, aces and blocks. She ranked top 20 in kills per set (4.46) and points (575.5), 38th in service aces (44); and 45th in total kills (468).
Many felt that Taylor should have been on the 14-member All-America first team, including Shoji, who said when the team was announced, “There are not 14 better players in the country than Nikki Taylor.”
“Even though I didn’t get first team, which was my goal, second team is still a huge accomplishment,” Taylor said. “I’m going into the tryouts as one huge sponge. I want to absorb knowledge from coaches and other players.
“You have to go in with knowing that you’re there for a reason but with an attitude that doesn’t lead to cockiness. I am going into a world that is completely different from college. And I go in humble.”
All sessions of the tryout will be streamed live at www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/USA-Teams/Indoor-Volleyball/Women/National-Team-Tryouts. Sessions start at 11 a.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Hawaii time.
