Kansas volleyball signs grad transfer Taylor Alexander

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas volleyball has signed graduate transfer Taylor Alexander, head coach Ray Bechard announced on Friday. Alexander, a 6-foot-4 middle blocker, will be immediately eligible to compete for the upcoming 2017 season.

Alexander spent the last three seasons at Ole Miss, leading the Rebels in blocks per set (0.92) during her junior season, in which she started all 31 matches. The Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, native will graduate from Ole Miss with a degree in criminal justice next month.

“We are excited to add Taylor to our roster – she will make us better,” Bechard said. “When she reached out to us and we did our research, we found a young lady who is excited about competing at a high level and is a great teammate. She has an opportunity to build on a solid career she has already established at Ole Miss and end it with competing at a high level.”

Alexander joins the reigning Big 12 Conference champion Jayhawks, who finished the 2016 season with a 27-3 overall record and a 15-1 league record. Three seniors departed from KU’s 2016 squad, including setter Maggie Anderson, three-year starting libero Cassie Wait and four-year starting middle blocker Tayler Soucie.

“We are fortunate to have great depth at the middle blocker position, even after the graduation of Soucie,” Bechard said. “Taylor (Alexander) has a great motor and will be part of a group that will push each other and compete for playing time.”

In 2017, the Jayhawks’ middle blocker position will feature Alexander, senior Kayla Cheadle, sophomore Zoe Hill and sophomore Arizona State transfer Mmachi Nwoke.

Alexander becomes the seventh senior on KU’s experience-laden roster, which includes All-American right-side hitter Kelsie Payne, All-American setter Ainise Havili, All-American outside hitter Madison Rigdon, defensive specialist Addison Barry, middle blocker Kayla Cheadle, and defensive specialist Tori Miller.

TAYLOR ALEXANDER
Height: 6-4
Position: Middle Blocker
Hometown: Breaux Bridge, La.
High School: Breaux Bridge HS
Previous School: Ole Miss

2017 NEWCOMERS
Taylor Alexander (Senior, MB, 6-4, Breaux Bridge, La.)
Annika Carlson (Freshman, S, 6-0, Olathe, Kan.)
Mmachi Nwoke (Sophomore, MB, 6-1, Grand Prairie, Texas)

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