By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, Ohio---Taylor Purcell (Bedford/Temperance, Mich.), a sophomore right side hitter for the Owens Community College women's volleyball team, has signed with Madonna University in Livonia, Mich. to continue her athletic and academic careers.
"Madonna is a fantastic nursing and health school," Purcell said of her choice. "I am so excited for the opportunity to be a part of an extremely successful program with great coaches."
As a sophomore, Purcell recorded 308 kills, seven assists, 69 digs and 68 blocks (18 solo) while leading Owens to a 40-7 overall record, an Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) championship, a Region XII District F tournament championship and a ninth place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament.
Purcell was, perhaps, the team's most improved player as a sophomore. After 167 kills as a freshman, she upped that total by 141 her second year, while hitting .260 - an improvement from her .225 as a freshman. She also recorded nine assists, 41 digs and 60 blocks (four solo) as a freshman.
In her two-year career, Purcell recorded 475 kills, 16 assists, four aces, 110 digs and 128 blocks (22 solo). She had a .248 hitting percentage.
Furthermore, Purcell becomes the third student-athlete from this fall's Owens volleyball team to sign with a four-year school. She follows Macy Reigeslperger (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio), who signed with NCAA Division I University of Tennessee at Martin and Erika Hartings (Coldwater/Coldwater, Ohio), who signed with NCAA Division II Francis Marion University.
The Madonna University women's volleyball team competes at the NAIA level. They compiled a 36-8 record this past season. Along the way, they finished 20-2 in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) play, which was good for second place. They finished as the WHAC Tournament runner-up and advanced to the NAIA National Championship tournament, where they advanced past pool play round before losing to No. 5 Biola University in the opening round of bracket play.
Notes
Purcell becomes the sixth Owens student-athlete to sign with a four-year school so far this year. For a full list, along with past years, visit here