Hard work the key for Kizer winner Delp

PLYMOUTH – Plymouth’s girls Kizer Award winner has some decisions to make.

Taylor Delp has been involved with sports as long as she can remember, but well rounded she has other interests that are calling her for the future.

Headed to Bethel University in the fall to continue her volleyball career, what to do after that is the question.

“I’m currently undecided but I am between art and exercise science,” she said adding with a smile. “Two completely different things.”

“I’ve been told I should stick with art because it’s what love it but I also thought about exercise science because I want to stay close to sports after my volleyball career is over. Sports has been with me forever and I can’t think of my life without sports.”

The daughter of Michael and Heather Delp the connection of the family to Plymouth athletics is a long one extending back to great Grandfather Bob Hileman who was a long-time coach and Athletic Director at PHS.

Along with her parents, who both played and coached at Plymouth, numerous family members have been around sports for a long time.

“My family comes from a long line of athletes,” said Taylor. “That’s what we do. We see each other we play each other in sports.”

Competition was a way of life in the Delp family.

“It was fun,” said Taylor. “All of my cousins are pretty much boys and I never wanted to lose. I think definitely in basketball that helped. It made me stronger.”

Decisions on just what to play growing up were easy.

“I tried everything growing up,” she said. “It was the big three (volleyball, basketball, and tennis) that were there. When I was younger I played a little travel soccer and flag football. Those three stayed with me.”

She does have a favorite.

“Volleyball,” said Taylor. “It’s not that I compete harder in volleyball but I just like the energy and excitement I get from volleyball that is way different. I love it.”

She also feels that is her best sport.

“Personally I think I am (best at volleyball) but other people have told me that I’m better at basketball than volleyball or tennis,” she said.

Taylor points to Mom and Dad as a big influence through her sports career.

“They always pushed me to be the best in any sport they never told me I should like one more than the other,” said Taylor. “They just always wanted to help me out. If I wanted to do extra training they were always there for me.”

Taylor did do some extra work in the off-season but kept it all in perspective.

“Volleyball I did travel and some open gyms,” she said. “In basketball, I tried doing travel but I ran into some injuries so I had to stop that. I’ve always done summer tennis.”

The strain of being a three-sport athlete was real but not too overwhelming.

“It can be hard at times but it kept me busy,” said Taylor. “Sometimes I enjoyed it. There were times when I needed a break but I did enjoy it. I knew there were other three sport athletes doing the same thing so I knew I wasn’t on my own and I felt pushing through it would make me better.”

The Kizer Award was always in her sights.

“Coming in my freshman year I saw that and said I want that. I want to have that award,” said Taylor. “That’s what I want to work for and that’s where I am now.”

“It made me very excited,” she said about achieving the goal. “All the hard work I went through all four years has paid off. I worked hard for it and I got it.”

Community service is another passion that has always been part of her life.

“One thing I love is art,” she said. “I try to get involved with a lot of art things. I love sports but I also love to do hands-on things. I’m in Sunshine Society. I love helping people out with community things.”

“It shaped me to where I am. The person that I am now and the person that I’m going to be.”

Taylor is also sure of the legacy that she hopes she leaves behind as she moves beyond high school.

“I’d like people to see I’m a three-sport athlete and it’s possible to do all these things, that even playing three sports you can do all the other things,” she said. “Some people may think that’s impossible. That it’s too hard but I feel like I proved that it is possible.”

And a little advice to those who would try.

“I was a little softer when I was young so I’d just tell them not to let anybody push them around.”