P-W’s Taylor Smith Named 2023 Miss Volleyball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Miss Volleyball Award seemed completely wide open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a talented field, the pick for a winner was anybody's guess.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, on Monday, Pewamo-Westphalia setter [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] was named with the honor, becoming the first non-D1/D2 recipient of the award since 2012.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It was on my mind a little bit, but if I am being honest I didn't think I was going to get it,” Smith said. “That allowed me to kind of keep it in the back of my mind and not think too much about it. I am really shocked to win, but I am very, very grateful for it.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith has been a four-year varsity player for the Division 3 Pirates, leading the program to its first D3 state championship last season. This year, P-W has remained near the top of the rankings in D3 and will play in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“To me, this is bucking the trend and that is something we pride ourselves on. What a great thing to be able to show that a kid from a small public school was able to win such a prestigious award,” said P-W volleyball coach Jon Thelen. “For the young kids at our school, it's also just a great example for them to live by. When you work hard, it doesn't matter what size of school you come from, you can still achieve great things and get to the next level.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":399219,"width":"291px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/11-Taylor-Smith-2.jpg?w=959" alt="" class="wp-image-399219" style="width:291px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith won a very competitive race for the away with 165 points in the voting. She finished ahead of Grandville setter [player_tooltip player_id='110292' first='Zoey' last='Dood'], who took second with 153 points. North Branch libero [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] was third with 128.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I'm just very thankful. I couldn't have won this without my teammates and my coaches,” Smith. “I have a great support system with family and friends too. I know they are excited for me and I'm very lucky to have them all.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith was informed of winning the award during a surprise assembly at the school on Monday afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our school told us that we had an assembly today and nobody really knew what it was about. We were asking each other what it might be about. When we finally got in the gym and they brought out the trophy, that's when it hit me. It was kind of shocking,” she said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thelen has had to remain quiet on the matter, as he was informed about Taylor winning on Friday and had been secretly setting up the presentation since.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Trying to keep that information in since Friday has been a challenge,” Thelen said. “It was obviously very exciting to get that news and I couldn't be more proud and happy for Taylor.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a 6'1” setter, Smith brings a lot of intangibles to the court. Her athleticism and size make her a cut above when it comes to playing an up-tempo offense, but her blocking and hitting ability make her a triple threat at the net as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith's play drew enough interest that she is going to be playing next fall for Eastern Michigan University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“A setter is the quarterback of your team and you won't find someone who has put more time in the gym, during high school season or club season, working on her game,” Thelen said. “You can see what that work has resulted in, though. She's the first D1 volleyball player to come out of Pewamo-Westphalia and now she is the first Miss Volleyball from Pewamo-Westphalia. That's a pure testament to her hard work and wanting to better her craft.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with her abilities, Thelen said Smith is everything you could ask for in a teammate and leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“She's so loved by her team. She's one of the most humble D1 athletes I think you will ever find,” he said. “It's easy for kid like her that is already committed to just kind of go through the motions their senior year and think they have it all figured out. I've seen it before. Taylor has never been that way and her work ethic epitomizes our team. They all work really hard together and I think the results speak for themselves.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith and the Pirates will face Kalamazoo Christian in a quarterfinal on Tuesday that is the rematch of the 2022 D3 state final. The Pirates are hoping to win three more matches this week so Smith can go out as a two-time state champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It would be the cherry on top of all this,” Smith said of winning another state title. “We know we can do it, we just have to go out and execute. I'm looking forward to being able to play with my team for however long it lasts and it would mean a lot if we can win that second title to end things.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2023 Miss Volleyball Voting Results</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'], P-W 165</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='110292' first='Zoey' last='Dood'], Grandville 153</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'], North Branch 128</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan'], Clarkston 123</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'], Hudsonville 120</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'], Hudsonville 101</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'], Forest Hills Northern 100</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'], Lakewood 70</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='110302' first='Adrienne' last='Greschaw'], North Branch 41</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='110332' first='Avery' last='Weslow'], Forest Hills Central 25</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->