FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 23, 2019) – Taylor Jacobsen, an outside hitter from Chandler, Ariz., is featured in the second of a four-part bi-weekly Q&A with each member of the Northern Arizona volleyball team's incoming freshman class of 2019. Jacobsen is the younger sister of former Lumberjack all-conference standout Lauren Jacobsen.
Q: What is the one thing that excites you most about joining the NAU Volleyball program?
A: I'm looking forward to playing for (Coach) Ken (Murphy). I've known him for a few years because of Lauren. I fell in love with his coaching style after going to a few camps. I'm also definitely excited to play with some of my old teammates like Heaven (Harris) and I'm good friends with Ryann (Davis). Being close to home and in a winning environment that Ken teaches is exciting.
Q: How would you describe yourself as a volleyball player?
A: I'm very, very competitive. I'm the youngest of four so we were always competing growing up. I play every point like it's a game. I want to win so bad; I'll do anything to win.
Q: What is the most important skill or quality in making a successful outside hitter?
A: I definitely think you need to be a good leader. I don't think volleyball is about being the person on the team who gets all the kills, but it's important to have the one player who is super vocal and motivates the team to push through every point.
Q: What did your sister, Lauren, tell you about the volleyball program as you were making your decision?
A: She told me a lot about the environment that Ken creates when it comes to working hard. She also said that the girls are not only sweet, but they are motivated. That is the type of atmosphere I was looking for in a college.
Q: You were considering some big-time programs like Nebraska and Stanford. How much did Lauren factor in your decision to follow her at NAU?
A: Growing up, I started playing volleyball because of Lauren. I went to her tournaments and watching her play got me involved in the sport. Once I started playing, it became a competition between us on who could be the best. When I was making my decision, at first I was interested in bigger schools because they were top-10. But when I broke it down, the way Lauren describes NAU and obviously it being close to home, I just fell in love.
Q: What interests you in studying pre-med with an emphasis in chemistry and what do you hope to do with that degree?
A: I fell in love in chemistry during my sophomore year in high school. I knew I wanted to go into pre-med because my mom is in the medical field and so is my grandma. I'm super interested in the human body. I'm hoping to become a spinal surgeon, so that's a lot of school.
Q: What is one fun fact about yourself?
A: I love to draw. It's a good escape and really calming. It's a good way for me to reset mentally.
Taylor Jacobsen At a Glance
Height: 6-1
Position: Outside Hitter
Hometown: Chandler, Ariz.
High School: Hamilton
Stats to Know: 3.5 kills and 3.2 digs per set during senior season in 2018, 17th in the state with 413 kills
What Head Coach Ken Murphy is saying: We think she will be pretty high impact early in our program. She has a really elite skillset; athletically she's great and the thing that excites us even more is that she's a great competitor and teammate. She's the type of player who makes everyone around her better. That combination is going to allow her to contribute right away and be a big part of the future of our team.
Previous Class of 2019 Q&A's
April 9 - Jasmine West
