Sports Sports

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

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Hughes continues to overpower opposing defenses Jordan Loomis

to watch Hughes play. “Coach Herron contacted Senior outside hitter Hilary me through e-mail shortly afHughes was ready for the 2012- ter,” said Hughes. 2013 season. Now, as a senior member The kinesiology major was of the volleyball team, Hughes, first motivated to play volley- along with fellow seniors, Jesball by her father. Hughes first sica Kopp and Jessica Fey, are started playing volleyball in steadily falling into their leadthe 5th grade through a YMCA ership positions. medal league in Wisconsin. “Being a senior does bring “My dad had a passion for about many responsibilities the game and signed me up for to not only be a leader, but to my first medal league,” said also keep practice competitive Hughes. “Since that day, my and help the younger girls get parents have always been so accustomed to this fast-paced supportive.” game,” said Hughes. “Kopp, She then continued on to Fey and myself are working play throughout middle school together to make sure we stay and then at Wisconsin Heights focused to reach our team goals High School in Mazomaine, and have a successful season.” Wis., where she played on a Hughes is also a personal traveling volleyball team called fan of the crowds during a volthe Wisconsin Select Volleyball leyball game, Club. “I’d like to give a personal “My dad was also always shout out to the men of Sigma on the sideline as he was a coach Phi Epsilon who have been for the JV volleyball team at my there at all our home games cheering us on high school,” and raising havsaid Hughes. oc for our op“The love ponents,” said and joy I see “ It has been Photo by Mike Goehring, Washburn Review Hughes. “Let’s in my parents have another On the Attack: Senior outside Hilary Hughes may not be wearing the red and white W of Wisconsin University, but the Wisconsin native has been faces when wonderful being a wearing the blue and white W of Washburn University with pride. Heading into the Lady Blues home opener against Emporia State University, Hughes great season!” they come Lady Blue. H u g h e s leads the team in kills with 100 and also leads the team in points with 116.5. to watch me motivates me looks back at - Hillary Hughes her experience had a blast playing with them to keep playAs the three senior girls ous in the first eight games of laugh and tear and every six Lady Blues senior as a Lady Blue these four years.” ing the game steadily prepare for their final her senior season. She leads the am workout together,” said I love.” The senior describes play- year together, Hughes hopes team in kills with 100, averag- Hughes. “This season will be outside hitter volleyball playIt was er with great ing for Herron as nothing but that they will continue to stay ing four kills a set. The native the best we’ve ever had.” ” during those pride. an honor. in touch. of Black Earth, Wis., also avhigh school “It has “These past four years with “These past four years with erages 2.24 digs per set. The years that Hughes first sent been wonderful being a Lady Coach Herron have been a pure these girls have been four years 2011 all-MIAA honeree looks a video of game footage and Blue,” said Hughes. “I have blast and so successful thanks I will never forget about,” said forward to finishing her career skills to Washburn University made memories and friends to his coaching,” said Hughes. Hughes. “I hope to be friends with her fellow senior team- Jordan Loomis is a sophomore head volleyball coach, Chris that I will cherish for the rest “Kopp, Fey and I have all hope with them for the rest of my mates. double major in mass media Herron, who ended up attend- of my life. I love my teammates to make this season truly a life.” “We have been through and art. Reach her at jordan. ing a tournament in Wisconsin more than anything and have memorable one for him.” Hughes has been danger- every win and loss, every loomis@washburn.edu.

WASHBURN REVIEW

Taylor starts off strong for WU

Photo by Luke Warnken, Washburn Review

Flying High: Redshirt senior Jahmil Taylor (23) helps lead a veteran WU defense. After two games, Taylor leads Washburn with 18 tackles. 11 of his tackles have been solo tackles.

Drew Egnoske

WASHBURN REVIEW

The success of a defense relies heavily upon its leadership, especially at the linebacker position. It’s the linebacker who sets the tone and pulls a unit together so it’s no wonder why the linebacker is called the “quarterback of the defense.” Leadership is something that the Ichabod defense has plenty of. They return eight starters from last year’s squad, but even an experienced group of individuals needs someone who can bring them together and make them a team. Enter in middle linebacker Jahmil Taylor, a redshirt senior out of Aurora, Colo., majoring in kinesiology. Taylor’s stats have steadily increased every year, culminating last year when he recorded 112 tackles, four

sacks, a forced fumble and two interceptions. “You gotta be physical, hit everything that touches the ball. You gotta be fast and assignment sound,” said Taylor. Taylor is also accompanied by fellow linebackers, juniors Bryce Atagi and Willie Williams. Between the three of them last year, they recorded nearly 300 tackles and eight sacks. “It’s like a family to me,” said Taylor. He is especially close with Atagi with whom he has developed a special bond. “When we’re out there we know what each other is doing,” said Taylor. “If something happens it usually works out because we know what each other is doing.” Defensive coordinator Brock Luke relies heavily upon

Taylor to keep his defense in line. “He’s one of our leaders defensively and team wise too,” said Luke. “He does a good job with keeping the guys going in practice if they start trying to just go through the motions.” Taylor knows that the potential is there for his team to accomplish even more than they had a year ago when the Ichabods experienced their first playoff win. “Win the MIAA first of all, get to the playoffs and win the national championship,” said Taylor. Taylor knows that in order for his team to do well on the field they have to search within themselves first. “It’s an internal motivation to want to be the best. We’re all out there and on the same page, the same goal,” said Taylor. “It’s what you gotta do.” Washburn’s defense will rely on Taylor to challenge them every day and demonstrate his belief of what it takes to lead. “A true leader is someone who leads by example,” said Taylor. “When you’re feeling a little bit of doubt, you look to him and he clears up all the doubt you had.” So far WU’s defense has been up to the task. In the first game of the season, against the University of Nebraska-Kearney, they had three red zone stops that added up to zero points for the Lopers. In last week’s thrashing of Fort Hays, the defense forced two turnovers, and almost a third, in the first quarter alone as they held the Tigers to zero points in the first half.

Drew Egnoske is a senior mass media major. Reach him at drew.egnoske@washburn.edu.