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Wayne State University Athletics

Taylor Wagner Feature

Volleyball Nicole Werling, WSU Sports Information Student Writer

Taylor Wagner "Digs" Into Her Journey Of Volleyball and Faith

DETROIT -- Wayne State University welcomed a small-town Michigan native to a vibrant city, where she would join the Warrior's volleyball team and embrace her relationship with her faith. 

Taylor Wagner, a redshirt junior has recently found that her identity is more than just being a student-athlete.  During her sophomore year at Wayne, she attended a camp called "The Ultimate Training Camp" where they help athletes put the idea of sport back in its rightful place of being something one can use to glorify God. 

"College athletics can be really hard, and that camp helped me realize that volleyball is something that I get to do, whether I have good or bad outcomes.  I try my best and God is with me through all of that.  The camp helped me realize I can glorify him in the way that I interact with my teammates along with the people I get to be around," Wagner stated.  "It gives me a much bigger purpose for being on the volleyball court."

Wagner's faith was not always a large part of her life.  Growing up, she was a part of the church, but it was not until college that she turned to religion to help find herself. 

She discovered a bible study on campus called the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in October of 2018, which is when she really gave her life to God, and dove in to having a relationship with him.

FCA is a group for all athletes at Wayne to come together and express their religion. 

"FCA is really helpful to relate to sport because a lot of what the bible talks about can be related to the struggles of being an athlete," Wagner explained. 

In recent times, Wagner has been blessed with an internship opportunity with FCA where she will spend her summer in California living with 10 other college volleyball players.

Wagner's goal is to return to campus next year for her senior season in great physical shape and spiritually rooted.  

"When you are young, your view of sport is really important, so I want to help younger girls and show them that volleyball and being an athlete doesn't have to be your entire identity.  I feel that the younger you can teach them that, the more impact it will have on them," Wagner stated.

Each intern will have the opportunity to lead different roles that will help them unite their relationship with faith and athletics during a 10-week period. 

An interesting aspect of Wagner's life is her history with being an athlete. 

Growing up, basketball was the sport she loved and always played, even before being introduced to volleyball. 

It wasn't until her junior year of high school that she realized how strong her passion for volleyball had become. 

At this point, she began looking into recruits for college volleyball teams.  She signed up for college camps near her hometown, St. Joseph, but her plan took an unexpected turn when she injured her ankle.  All her plans to attend these camps came to an end.

This was when Wayne State volleyball coaches reached out to her.  Wagner did not know about Wayne State, but after her visit, she had a great experience and loved being in the city of Detroit. 

After exploring the extraordinary campus that Wayne State has, and being offered a full ride, she could not turn it down. 

"I loved the team dynamic of Wayne State.  When I met the girls, they were all so accepting, and I could tell they all got along great.  When I met Coach (Tim) Koth, he was on top of everything and very involved," Wagner explained.  "I was looking for a program that was structured and had stability, and I knew that God was telling me 'this is the place that I am calling you to.'" 

Since becoming a Warrior, Wagner has been named to the GLIAC Honorable Mention Team, the GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team, and a recipient of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement award.

After falling in love with the environment of WSU, she could not imagine being anywhere else. 

"One thing I have loved and has changed my view of people is the diversity of Wayne State.  So many people come from all walks of life and different cultures.  That is something I have gotten to learn so much about," Wagner stated. 

"Wayne does so much community service, which I love.  I enjoy getting out and interacting with people of the community.  There is a need in our community, and that is one of the blessings of being in Detroit." 

For more information on the FCA Volleyball internship experience, you can visit online at californiafcavolleyball.org

 
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Players Mentioned

Taylor Wagner

#11 Taylor Wagner

OH/MB
6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
3

Players Mentioned

Taylor Wagner

#11 Taylor Wagner

6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
3
OH/MB