A freshman middle blocker, Jordan Taylor comes to Minnesota as an early enrollee from Houston, Texas. The 6'5" standout was a a three-time all-district selection at Langham Creek H.S. Taylor was named the District 16-6A Outstanding Blocker of the Year three times in her career, tallying 1,741 kills (.345 hitting) and 654 blocks. She totaled 712 kills and 133 total blocks as a senior in 2024 and delivered a single-season career best 214 blocks as a junior in 2023
GS: Take us through your background and childhood. JT: I'm originally from Richmond, Texas. We moved to Houston when I was young to be closer to extended family. I grew up as an only child. My mom has three sisters and her oldest sister has several kids. My grandma lived close to us too. We spent a ton of time with family growing up, we saw each other every week. My mom and I are very close. Since I've been away at school, we've become even closer. We talk every single day, no matter what. She gives me so much advice and listens to me if I just need to talk. My dad played college basketball at Houston in the late 90's.
Taylor during her childhood in TexasGS: How did you first get into volleyball? Did you try other sports growing up? JT: I started by playing basketball. I was always tall and my parents wanted me to play. I also did dance for a little bit. I went back to basketball but I didn't really like it, it was a lot of running. I started playing volleyball when I was nine in a summer league. One of the coaches asked me to try out for club and then I became more serious about it. I knew it was my sport because I wanted to understand the sport and be good at it. I didn't feel that way about basketball or dance.
GS: Did anyone in your family play volleyball before you? JT: Just one older cousin of mine did in high school. I watched her growing up and wanted to try it. Besides her, no one else in my family ever played.
Taylor on her visit to MinnesotaGS: Do you remember what you were like on the court when you first started? Were you naturally talented or did it take time? JT: I was honestly a bit aloof on the court when I started. I was out there having fun, I'd probably hit two of every three balls out of bounds and then I'd get a kill. I obviously wasn't worried about stats or hitting percentage or anything like that. I loved playing and seeing myself get better. I was definitely a little uncoordinated.
Taylor playing volleyball as a little kidGS: When did you start to figure out you were playing at a higher level? JT: I would say my 13s year. I started club when I was nine years old and it took me awhile to figure out what was going on. But my 13s year I felt so much more comfortable and ready to compete.
GS: What was it like getting recruited and when did that start? JT: It was when I was 13, I got a letter in the mail from LSU. My mom and I were so excited, it was just crazy that schools were reaching out about a sport. I was so young and college felt so far away.
GS: Obviously you ended up as a Gopher. Did you ever in your wildest dreams think you'd be playing in college in Minnesota? JT: No I did not (laughs). My 15s year I was at a club camp and [Gophers head coach] Keegan [Cook] was there. I was working with him and the coordinator for the club was telling me he was the coach at Minnesota. They were like 'he's a great coach and it's a great program, you should take a look.' That was really when I first considered Minnesota could be a school I could go to. It's funny, I know several people on the team are locals to Minnesota and dreamed of being a Gopher, but I never really had a dream school. Minnesota was just the best fit for me in all areas.
GS: What were some of the deciding factors for you that helped put Minnesota over the top? JT: I really liked the people here and how the Big Ten is the most competitive conference in the country. Minnesota is a great program and I wanted to be a part of that. I spent a lot of time talking to [fellow recruit] Kelly Kinney after she committed and was really feeling good about Minnesota. It is a great place to be and I loved everything about the school and the volleyball program. I was ready to make my decision and committed in July of my junior year, before I even visited.
GS: What was your official visit like when you came with your fellow commits last year? JT: It was so exciting. I could just envision the future and to have my teammates with me put the cherry on top. Building up to it, I was just thinking 'I hope I was right' because I had never been before. When I got here with the girls and met Carly and McKenna, I knew I could talk to them and we became instant friends. On the visit, we did a photoshoot, watched the team's game versus Northwestern and went to a Gopher hockey game. We went to the campus bookstore, toured campus and then went to dinner with our families and the coaches.
GS: What did your mom think of Minnesota when you visited? Was she worried about you going to school far from home? JT: I think we took the recruiting process really seriously. It was not an easy decision to pick a school. She just wanted the best for me and happy for me that I felt confident in the choice I made. She is in my corner no matter what I decide. But she loved the visit and it just re-enforced my decision.
GS: Was there anything that surprised you about Minnesota? JT: This is random, but the amount of construction here in the summer is baffling. I've never seen anything like it. That's the only thing that really surprised me.
GS: For those that haven't seen you play before, how would you describe yourself as a player? JT: I'm pretty steady and even throughout the whole match. I would hope I come off as serious but energetic at the same time. I try to be a great teammate. Skill-wise, blocking is my favorite part of the game. Shutting down an opponent with a big block is what I thrive on. It's such a momentum-changer for the team when I can come up with a block for my team.
GS: What's been the biggest adjustment for you in college practices? JT: Learning. There's so much about the game that I genuinely didn't know and I'm trying to figure out. The game is much faster in college and that combined with learning is an adjustment. It's been trial and error, figuring out my routines on a day-to-day basis. This six weeks has been huge for me and my growth as a player and person. I'm so glad I came early, it would have been so hard to adjust if I had started practicing with the team in August.
GS: Is there anyone you're looking forward to playing against this year? JT: The obvious one is the Wisconsin match, that'll definitely be fun. One of my best friends from club goes to Vanderbilt, so I'm looking forward to playing them. Our families are going to be there and I can't wait for it.
GS: We have one of the best home court advantages in college volleyball at the Pav, how much are you looking forward to games here this fall? JT: It's so amazing being here and seeing the support the fans have for the program. It's unwavering support and I'm excited to be a part of it. Even in the spring we've had good crowds and people are coming on their own time.
Taylor has been training all spring with the Golden GophersGS: How have the upperclassmen helped you out on the court? JT: They've been helpful trying to pave the way. Kali [Engeman] and Lourdes [Myers] are both fifth years and Calissa [Minatee] is a junior and they're all much more experienced than me. They've been great to compete with.
GS: What's it been like working with assistant coach Pedro Mendes [middles/blocking coach]? JT: Pedro has been so helpful. He's really honest and that's something I can really appreciate in a coach and as a person. He'll tell me what I need to work on and straight up if it's right or wrong. He'll say if he thinks we're working hard enough or if we can do something faster. He's also been very understanding in the learning process, learning and being away from home and my family. It's been so appreciated and I can't wait to keep working with him. I'm working on getting my footwork down and that's been a process.
GS: What are your goals for the team and yourself this season? JT: I have such high expectations for the team and I think we're going to meet them. There are goals and a standard that's been set and we're working to hit it. We want to go out and dominate. For myself, I want to contribute as much as I can and be as technically sound as possible. Whenever I'm called on, I want to go out and deliver.
GS: Is there a college volleyball player you admire or model your game after? JT: I looked up to Brionne Butler (Texas alum, 2017-21) when I was in high school. She plays professionally now and she used to play at my club, Houston Juniors. I got to meet her and we kind of have a relationship now. She's such a sweet person and a great volleyball player.
GS: Outside of volleyball, what do you like to do? JT: I like to read and listen to music. Nirvana and Kanye West are my favorite artists right now.
Rapid Fire:
Favorite Food: Sushi
Fun Fact: I'm actually left-handed but I learned how to hit with my right
Favorite Sport To Watch: Basketball
Pro Sports Team: Houston Rockets
Hidden Talent: I'm really good at Subway Surfers
Favorite Vacation Spot: Chicago
TV Shows: The Office and Breaking Bad
Biggest Inspirations: My mom
