Columbia's Mytyk blasts a path to college
By Rick Broome
Early in the season, Columbia lost sophomore Savannah Wittenbrink and senior Amanda Krebel to long-term injuries.
Thank goodness the Eagles never lost Taylor Mytyk.
The smooth senior glided into the gaps in Columbia’s lineup and filled them, all the while assuming the mantle of leadership for her wounded crew.
“Taylor was one of our key players this year,” Columbia coach Rachel Mathews said. “She is smart, she is quick, she is athletic. She has really stepped up and played a very big leadership role this year. She is one of our captains and became one of our strong hitters on the net when we needed her after we lost our two middles (Krebel and Wittenbrink) to injury.”
Mytyk has played a leading role in Columbia’s fortunes since her second season in blue, but the soft-spoken wallflower of those tender years has turned into a wallbanger as a senior.
Mytyk has played a leading role in Columbia’s fortunes since her second season in blue, but the soft-spoken wallflower of those tender years has turned into a wallbanger as a senior.
“As a sophomore I was more timid and shy,” Mytyk said. “Now I feel like I have grown and finally taken more leadership on the team. I can help the people out because I know more about what I am doing. I am always learning from the coaches. I am just a lot more confident.”
“She has more confidence and her court intelligence has just increased so much,” Mathews said. “She is just so smart about who to set in certain situations and knows who the go-to player is. She is so consistent with her play, too.
“She is one of our go-to hitters now as well and can place the ball and hit anywhere on the floor. She is very coachable and will do anything you ask her to do.”
The hard work at Columbia earned Mytyk a shot at college volleyball with Trinity International University in Deerfield, Ill. Between matches, Mytyk will work on getting her degree in elementary education and spend some time in the city by the lake.
“My cousin went to school there, so I started getting information about them,” Mytyk said. “The coach and I got in contact and it went from there. I visited and practiced with them in April.
“They have a really strong program in education and that’s what I am majoring in. The volleyball team is good and it is NAIA, and that’s what I wanted. The campus is really nice and it is close to Chicago, so there is a lot to do. They just had everything.”
“I am happy for Taylor and I am so proud that she is going on to play at the collegiate level,” Mathews said. “She deserves it and I wish her nothing but the best.”
from Clarion Journal
