University of Georgia Athletics
Taylor Voted To Pioneer Classic All-Tournament Team
September 12, 2006 | Volleyball
ATHENS, Ga. --- Sophomore Maria Taylor was voted to the Pioneer Classic All-Tournament Team after her three-match performance in Denver, Colo., on Sept. 8-9.
Taylor and her teammates return to action at the Ramsey Center on Friday against No. 6 Florida, a team Taylor recorded 34 kills against during three matches last year.
Taylor, a native of Alpharetta, Ga., totaled 40 kills during the Bulldogs' matches against Denver, UCLA and Texas State over the weekend. Against the Denver Pioneers, Taylor came within one kill of equaling her career best after posting 20. In 2005, Taylor registered 21 kills against both Kentucky (Oct. 16) and Auburn (Nov. 4).
Playing alongside five freshmen and a pair of transfers, Taylor has developed into "a more complete player," according to Georgia head coach Steffi Legall.
"She has really taken the transition to the right side in stride," Legall said. "I think the highlight for her from this past weekend was getting a double-double against Texas State. Everyone who has seen her play expects kills from Maria, but getting double figures in digs shows how she's developed into a more complete player."
Against the Bobcats on Sept. 9, Taylor led her team with 14 kills and tied for second on the Bulldogs (4-6) with 12 digs. Also, Taylor managed four total blocks for Georgia as her team swept Texas State 31-29, 30-26, 30-24 before the Bulldogs flew home.
Legall believes Taylor has yet to reach her peak and knows the Bulldogs will need a significant contribution from her as the SEC portion of the season cranks up.
"This is still very early in the season at a new position so I think she has so much ahead of her," Legall said. "If she continues to work hard at practice and builds on the confidence she already has, the sky is the limit for Maria."
The Bulldogs open their Southeastern Conference schedule at home against the Gators on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Pioneer-Classic All-Tournament Team
Nana Meriwether - UCLA
Nellie Spice - UCLA
Lisa Hunter - Denver
Kerry Porter - Denver
Maria Taylor - Georgia
Kelly Fletcher - Texas State
