Amanda Ronan, Media Relations Student Intern
Taylor Rowland made a big decision to come to Auburn as an early enrollee in January, and has since worked to make an early impact on the team. While the decision was tough, she was confident in her choice attributable to the unconditional support from her family and the Auburn Family. She believes that decision has helped her with her future as an Auburn volleyball player.
"I think going early really helped me get comfortable with the girls," Rowland said. "It helped me make early connections with them and the coaches… being a part of the team early has really helped me."
Rowland looks at being the Gatorade Player of the Year two years in a row in her home state of North Carolina as one of her biggest accomplishments. In addition to her volleyball accomplishments, Rowland was also ranked the No. 30 overall player in the country on the 2018 PrepVolleyball Senior Aces list, 2016 MaxPreps Underclass First Team All-America, 2016 PrepVolleyball All-American, 2016 All-Observer Volleyball Player of the Year, 2016 USA Volleyball Youth National Team Prospect Training Program and 2016 and 2015 Charlotte Observer First Team.
She holds high athletic goals for herself during her time on the Plains and hopes to make a great name for herself in the community and town of Auburn.
Q: What do you think has been your biggest accomplishment with volleyball?
A: My biggest accomplishment was winning Gatorade Player of the Year twice in North Carolina. I won it my junior and senior year of high school.
Q: How has being an early enrollee benefited your volleyball career at Auburn?
A: I think going early really helped me get comfortable with the girls. It helped me make early connections with them and the coaches before the summer and all the crazy scheduling. Also getting classes under my belt and getting used to overall college life. Being a part of the team early has really helped me.
Q: What factored into your decision of being an early enrollee?
A: It was a back and forth decision, but having Mica [Allison] coming early and in the same shoes as me was really helpful. We went through it together. Also all the support here was really helpful in making my decision.
Q: What do you miss most about being at home?
A: I just miss all my family and friends. I miss being in the same atmosphere with all of my family and friends. It's just a home-y feeling that I really miss.
Q: What are your goals athletically while being at Auburn?
A: I really want to make a difference in this program. I really want to be a rotating six outside as a freshman. I want to be Freshman of the Year with the SEC, be on the All-SEC team, just all of that would be great. Having long term goals will be really helpful in making a big impact on this team. I really want to be a leader on this team, so making connections with everyone will be important.
Q: What are you majoring in and why?
A: I'm majoring in special education teaching. I want to make an impact in people's lives, and I love little kids. I think everyone is unique in their own way. These kids may have special needs, but they're the same as everyone else. I want to make them all feel that way.
Q: What's your favorite Auburn tradition?
A: I love when the eagle flies around the stadium before a football game.
Q: How do you plan on contributing to Auburn Volleyball program?
A: I really want to make sure this team knows I'll do anything for them. I want to be a positive influence on this team. I want them to know that they can always come to me. I really want to be an impactful player not just on the court, but off the court as well.
Q: What are you looking forward to in regards of being on the team?
A: I'm really looking forward to the traveling whether it's on the flights or the buses. I've just heard stories of traveling with the team and I've heard it's just really fun. I'm also really excited to dominate. We have a really good recruiting class, so just really taking advantage of what we have and working hard.
Q: What are you most excited for during your time at Auburn outside of volleyball?
A: I'm really looking forward to learning my way around the campus and getting familiar with everyone involved in the university. I'm excited to go to all the different sporting events and just truly becoming a part of this town and community. I want to make a difference here and make a great name for myself.
Q: Do you have any pregame superstitions?
A: I listen to music. Right now I really like Nonstop by Drake. I always just put my beats on and kind-of hang out.