Trojans Claim No. 22 Spot in the Land in NAIA Preseason Poll

Volleyball | Wed, Aug. 10, 2022 at 1:20 PM
| by Jake Chipka

NAIA Preseason Top-25 Poll

KANSAS CITY – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced its volleyball Preseason Top-25 poll on Wednesday morning, in which the Trojans claimed the No. 22 spot in the land.

The 2022 preseason poll marks the first time since 2012 that Taylor has found itself ranked in the nation’s preseason top-25.

Such an honor comes in the wake of a 27-7 2021 season in which the Trojans won 20 of their first 22 matches. An 11-game win streak energized the opening weeks of the season, subsequently fueling Taylor to its highest season win-total since 2011.

Along the way, current seniors, Kacy Bragg and Ryan Czerniak, proved especially pivotal in the team’s performance. Bragg, who was named the 2021 Crossroads League Setter of the Year, finished the season ranked fourth in the nation with 1,278 assists, becoming just the 10th player in program history to reach 2,000 career assists. Often a beneficiary of Bragg’s sets, Czerniak herself went on to smack 368 kills at a clip of 3.2 kills-per-set, cruising to her fourth-straight All-Crossroads League performance.

In tandem with her fellow seniors, Nikki Parrett is also poised to lead the No. 22 Trojans in an exciting 2022 season. Throughout her career, the defensive specialist has consistently frazzled the competition with her serve, racking up 134 career aces in her four seasons thus far in a Trojan uniform. Parrett is also riding the waves of a career-best 292 digs executed in the 2021 season.

The talent extends beyond the senior class, however, as a duo of sophomore middle hitters return after stellar freshman seasons. Sarah Scott and Jaylynn Dunsmore combined for 347 kills in their first collegiate campaigns, Scott being named a Crossroads League All-Freshman performer while Dunsmore padded a team-second-best 68 total blocks along with her 165 kills.

Throughout the offseason, Taylor also welcomed four exciting transfers, providing ample support for its preseason national ranking. Division I transfers, Jen Springer and Arlanda Faulkner, promise to provide defensive and offensive firepower respectively. Meanwhile, First-Team All-Crossroads League selection, Anna Frey, and 6’0 West Florida transfer, Grace Ieremia, are set to bolster an already intimidating Trojan front line.

For all this and more, coach Erin Luthy and the No. 22 Trojan volleyball…