HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The latest in a long line of outstanding setters at Northern Kentucky University is nearing the top of the national rankings in assists.
NKU setter Sara Taylor is No. 2 nationally in the NCAA Division II rankings with an average of 13.86 assists per game. The 5-foot-8 junior, who moved into fifth place on the NKU all-time list this past weekend with 2,195 career assists, had 70 assists and 14 digs on Saturday as the Norse posted an important road victory at Lewis University.
If Taylor maintains her current pace, she will likely be No. 1 in the national rankings when they are released next week. It would be the first time in history an NKU player has been ranked No. 1 nationally in assists.
“Sara’s understanding of the game and decision-making skills are what set her apart from other setters,” NKU head coach Carlos Chia said. “She has worked very hard at improving her mechanics, and her ability to handle the type of fast-paced offense we use has benefited our team.”
BYU-Hawaii’s Kaala Lo was No. 1 in last week’s national rankings with 13.73 apg, but Taylor’s big weekend - 142 total assists in two matches - put her in position to be No. 1 when the updated national statistics are released.
For the season, Taylor has recorded 998 assists, 24 service aces and 179 digs. She has led NKU to six consecutive victories and a 13-7 overall record.
NKU’s recent tradition of outstanding setters includes Molly Donovan, a 1998 Division II All-America selection. Donovan was followed by Bobbi Casey, who earned All-GLVC honors in 1999 and All-Region accolades in 2000.
Taylor, who earned All-GLVC honors as a defender two years ago and as a setter last season, has more than kept that tradition alive.
“I said from the first day Sara would be a very good setter, and we were very fortunate to get her,” Chia said, noting Taylor was heavily recruited after a stellar career at Assumption High School in Louisville, Ky. “She is very coachable, and she is a quiet leader on our team.”
The Norse are tied with Lewis for first place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings with a 7-2 record. NKU will play host to Bellarmine University at 7 p.m. Tuesday night in Regents Hall. The Norse will also play a non-conference road match at the University of Findlay at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
NKU will conclude its regular-season home schedule at 7 p.m. Friday when Quincy University visits Regents Hall.
If NKU earns the No. 1 seed in the GLVC Tournament, the Norse will play host to that event Nov. 14-16 in Regents Hall. NKU has won five consecutive GLVC championships and advanced to five straight NCAA Division II Tournaments.
Sara Taylor