I'Tiana Taylor Signs Professional Volleyball Contract In Dubai
February 01, 2017 | Volleyball
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Former East Carolina volleyball standout I'Tiana Taylor will begin her professional career playing for Sharjah Ladies Club in Dubai as she signed her contract with the team Tuesday.
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"I am so proud of I'Tiana," head coach Julie Torbett said. "She told me she wanted to play professional volleyball and took a risk to give up potential opportunities with basketball. She is a very talented athlete and will represent East Carolina very well overseas. She will be playing in Dubai, a country that will provide a magnificent experience for her. These opportunities don't come along every day for athletes. I can't wait to hear about her new team and the competition she faces with her new team Sharjah."
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Taylor completed her collegiate eligibility with the ECU volleyball team in 2016 after two standout seasons as a member of the Pirate women's basketball program.
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During her lone season playing volleyball, Taylor paced East Carolina in both kills (292) and kills per set (2.78). She reached double figures in kills in 16 matches and posted three double-doubles, including a season-high 17-kill and 13-dig performance in a five-set home victory over American Athletic Conference foe Memphis on Oct. 7. Taylor produced another standout performance at Savannah State (Sept. 4), tallying 13 kills on 16 attempts with just one error for a .750 hitting percentage – the second-best single-match mark in program history.
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With Taylor as a key contributor, ECU posted its first non-losing season since 2006 by finishing the campaign with a 15-15 overall record. The Pirates began the year 10-0, marking the longest winning streak in school history. East Carolina also won 12 matches away from Greenville, including seven true road victories – the most in a single season since 2006.
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"I am so proud of I'Tiana," head coach Julie Torbett said. "She told me she wanted to play professional volleyball and took a risk to give up potential opportunities with basketball. She is a very talented athlete and will represent East Carolina very well overseas. She will be playing in Dubai, a country that will provide a magnificent experience for her. These opportunities don't come along every day for athletes. I can't wait to hear about her new team and the competition she faces with her new team Sharjah."
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Taylor completed her collegiate eligibility with the ECU volleyball team in 2016 after two standout seasons as a member of the Pirate women's basketball program.
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During her lone season playing volleyball, Taylor paced East Carolina in both kills (292) and kills per set (2.78). She reached double figures in kills in 16 matches and posted three double-doubles, including a season-high 17-kill and 13-dig performance in a five-set home victory over American Athletic Conference foe Memphis on Oct. 7. Taylor produced another standout performance at Savannah State (Sept. 4), tallying 13 kills on 16 attempts with just one error for a .750 hitting percentage – the second-best single-match mark in program history.
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With Taylor as a key contributor, ECU posted its first non-losing season since 2006 by finishing the campaign with a 15-15 overall record. The Pirates began the year 10-0, marking the longest winning streak in school history. East Carolina also won 12 matches away from Greenville, including seven true road victories – the most in a single season since 2006.
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