Taylor Wherry Taylor Wherry 5'11" | OH/DS/L Mount St. Mary's | 2028 State AR understands that success is earned. She is one of the top outside hitters in the state regardless of classification. Her 501 Volley 16.1 squad is getting ready to compete in the Liberty division at Nationals.

“Our team’s biggest focus before Nationals is putting in the work and preparing so we are ready for big moments in the games,” says Wherry. Preparation, accountability, and being ready when the biggest moments arrive is what drives their work. Preparation extends beyond club practices. Taylor continues to invest time in her development through addition training opportunities at Mount St Mary’s with her high school teammates.

Throughout the qualifier season, the 16.1 team faced the same reality that every successful team eventually learns: nothing at this level comes easy. With 7 top five finishes, and just missing out on a bid, 501 earned their bid at the Lonestar Classic in April. Wherry states, “One lesson we learned is that nothing is handed to you and you have to work for every game and every point.”

As she prepares for Nationals, Wherry’s goals are centered around consistency, leadership, and performing under pressure. “My goals for myself are to keep a good, locked-in mindset, be a reliable teammate, and show up when it really matters.”

For Wherry one of the most exciting aspects of Nationals is the opportunity to compete against the elite teams across the country and test herself against the highest competition.

The 501 Volley 16.1 team is one of the most complete teams in the state (hint you will see more of their players in this article). Taylor is a big reason why. She showed why she continues to generate attention among coaches.

The 2028 pin hitter brings an intriguing combination of size, athleticism and versatility to the court. At 5’11”, Wherry has the physical tools coaches look for in a pin, but what stood out was her willingness to compete in every phase of the game.

Whether attacking, defending or serving, Taylor consistently played with confidence and intensity. You could tell she was soaking in the coaching and making great connections with coaches and players. Her ability to impact both the front and backrow makes her a valuable piece of any lineup.

Wherry is one of the go to options for Mount St Mary’s Academy this season. Her vertical puts herself above a lot of the blocks she is swinging against. She has a strong arm swing and high contact point making her attacks very hard to defend. She is a very consistent pin hitter not making many errors.

Wherry Is an all around great player scoring out of the front row and making defensive plays out of the back row. Her height and high contact points gives her the advantage of swinging over most blocks. Wherry is really skilled at tooling the block. She also makes some really smart shots such as a roll shot the ball in the middle of the court. She will be a head turner this weekend.

Taylor Wherry Taylor Wherry 5'11" | OH/DS/L Mount St. Mary's | 2028 State AR is already making a name for herself and fast. As just a freshman in the 2024 season, she earned All-State honors, proving she’s not only talented but also battle-tested against some of the best competition in Arkansas. Taylor plays the game with a level of maturity and polish that’s rare for her age. Her fundamentals are crisp, her court vision is sharp, and she’s a dependable six-rotation outside who can be trusted in high-pressure moments. With clean ball control, a heavy arm, and natural leadership qualities, Taylor is the type of player every coach dreams of building around. Her ceiling is sky-high, and she’s only getting started.

Taylor Wherry Taylor Wherry 5'11" | OH/DS/L Mount St. Mary's | 2028 State AR , a standout on 501 Volley 15.1, is quickly establishing herself as a dominant outside hitter in her class. Her approach is consistent, paired with a lightning-fast arm swing that makes her a threat from anywhere on the court. Taylor’s impressive vertical gives her a height advantage over most opponents her age, allowing her to hit over blocks and find angles that few can. Beyond her offensive firepower, she contributes as a reliable passer and an effective blocker. Her high volleyball IQ enables her to read the game effortlessly, finding open spaces and capitalizing on defensive gaps with precision.