CORVALLIS, Ore. – Heading into the 2020-21 year, 24 student-athletes were named to the Cascade Collegiate Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), representing their schools.
Jet Taylor is one of two representatives from Eastern Oregon University. The junior volleyball player chose EOU because the town the university is located in reminded her of home.
“I chose EOU because, like my hometown, La Grande is a small town with a tight-knit community,” said Taylor. “I wanted to be a part of EOU and Kaki Morehead's volleyball program because I felt as though it was a place where my competitive spirit would flourish.”
That competitive spirit has flourished as Taylor knows what it takes to compete at that level and was honored with All-CCC honorable mention recognition following the 2019 season.
“There are many sacrifices that come with being a student-athlete,” said Taylor. “Not only are you representing yourself, but you are representing a program. With that comes a high degree of responsibility in the classroom, on the court/field, and in the community.”
The Rigby, Idaho, native helped the Mountaineers earn a share of their second-straight Cascade Collegiate Conference regular-season championship last fall and advance to the NAIA National Championship.
“Playing volleyball at this level has challenged my both physically and mentally,” said Taylor. “Through that I have been able to reflect inwards and learn a lot about myself. The best experiences I have had on the court were competing in the national tournament during both my freshman and sophomore seasons. During these times, I was able to see the hard work and commitment my team puts in come to fruition.”
Taylor has also excelled in the classroom, helping the Mounties earn NAIA Scholar Team honors for the 2019-20 academic year. The exercise science, pre-nursing major “would love to attend an accelerated nursing program then go on to pursue my master’s degree. I want to work in a hospital as a nurse practitioner.”
Hopefully Taylor won’t have the brunt of the pandemic to deal with by then, but she is dealing with its effect on her life right now.
“COVID-19 has affected my day-to-day life by obliterating any concept of ‘routine’ I once had in my day,” said Taylor. “I have found that with online school, virtual conversations, and rarely leaving home, that it is hard to establish a routine and feel as though I am accomplishing things when all I am doing is staying at home and doing things online.”
While this year might look a little different, Taylor still loves EOU and the passion she has found for her classes.
“In the classroom, I have enjoyed learning about human health and have found a true passion for learning,” added Taylor. “The professors I have had have truly been the best teachers I have encountered in my life and I think that being at a small university has offered my many opportunities to learn more from them than I would at a larger institution.”
Some of those professors have become huge influences on Taylor’s life as well.
“Dr. Kyle Pfaffenbach has offered me a plethora of professional opportunities and wisdom,” said Taylor. “I truly feel as though I would not be the student I am without the guidance I have received from him. Dr. Daren Dutto has also inspired me to be the best student I can possibly be and I have been able to challenge myself and push my limits as a student whilst taking his vigorous classes. Coach Kaki Morehead has taught me more about life and sport than any coach I have had in my life. She is dignified and has taught me what it means to be a part of something bigger than myself.”
When Taylor isn’t battling it out at the net or studying, you can find her in the mountains, traveling or sitting down to watch a horror film and eating.
“I enjoy skiing, hiking, and sight-seeing,” said Taylor. “I also have a passion for traveling and experiencing different cultures. For relaxation, I enjoy watching scary movies and enjoying delicious food.”
This will be Taylor’s first year as a SAAC rep, but she hopes to make an impact on the committee.
“I hope to identify problems that our conference is faced with and create protocols to enable student-athletes to overcome those problems,” said Taylor about what she hopes to accomplish as a SAAC rep. “I also hope to increase awareness of SAAC as a resource to student-athletes so that they can know that SAAC is a resource to them.”