Leila Taylor’s Rise at Lincoln-Way East: A Look at Her Impact and Training

Senior middle hitter Leila Taylor has been making headlines with her outstanding performance at Lincoln-Way East this season. Her marked improvement is the result of intense offseason training with the Chicago-based Lights Out Volleyball organization. Standing at 5’11”, Taylor credits her enhanced training regimen and playing against top talent for her success.

Lincoln-Way East, the reigning SouthWest Suburban Conference champion, recently secured a third-place finish at the highly competitive 32-team Mizuno Crimson Classic. The team, currently at a 5-2 record, has performed well even in the absence of Eastern Michigan recruit Klarke Mosby, who is recovering from knee surgery. Taylor’s progress has been crucial to the team.

Lincoln-Way East coach Sean Burns recognizes Taylor’s growth from last year, highlighting her ability to terminate balls and block effectively. “Her presence in the middle opens up opportunities for the outsides, benefiting the team greatly,” Burns stated.

Kolby Ross, a junior outside hitter committed to Illinois, appreciates Taylor’s energy and influence. “She brings energy and firepower. Even on a tough day, she motivates everyone,” Ross quoted.

Originally from Chicago, Taylor attended Horizon Science Academy before her family moved to the south suburbs. Her passion for volleyball flourished at Lincoln-Way East.

For Taylor, volleyball was always a priority. In grade school, she often partnered with her sister Liyah to strengthen their teams. However, Taylor hoped to play varsity with her sister this fall, a plan that is on hold due to Liyah’s season-ending injury.

Meanwhile, Sandburg coach David Vales achieved significant milestone victories over the weekend. He celebrated his 900th overall win after defeating Hinsdale Central and his 500th win as a girls coach against Wheaton Warrenville South. Vales discussed the significance of his wins, particularly against coach Bill Schreier, noting Schreier’s impressive record of over 1,000 wins.

At Marist, new players have stepped up successfully in the absence of some previous stars. Junior middle hitter Sommer Shaw, senior Kate Steinmetz, and senior defensive specialist Ariella Link embraced the challenge. Coach Jordan Vidovic noted the team’s strong offense and increased confidence.

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.