Henderson signs with Blinn

Taylor Henderson has set the bar for San Marcos’ program for years to come.

The recent graduate and her family saw the years of dedication to volleyball pay off on Wednesday when Henderson signed with Blinn College to continue her athletic career.

“(This moment) is amazing,” Taylor’s mother Regina Henderson said. “It’s really special because she is one that has worked really hard. Ever since she’s started high school she’s been playing club and high school while playing basketball at the same time.”

All the hard work put in was evident during Henderson’s senior campaign. The Lady Rattlers recorded a 25-win season with a berth into the bi-district round of the playoffs. Following the season’s close, Henderson was recognized by District 14-6A as the Most Valuable Hitter, a 1st-Team All-District honoree and named to the All-Academic team.

The senior was also rewarded Co-MVP of the season by her teammates with team-high numbers in kills and aces. As Henderson moves beyond San Marcos volleyball, she will hold the school record for most kills in a season, 473.

“She set a goal at the beginning of the senior season and she was determined that’s what she was going to do,” Regina Henderson said. “One of her goals was to break the school record and she talked to us about it. She’s such a strong-willed person, she never gives up. She’s going to set her mind, set her goal and she’s going to work hard to get there.

Many will see the accolades and achievements Henderson achieved. But her final season and goal to play at the next level is something the senior had been thinking about since eighth grade. Henderson’s willingness to take on everything consistently and excel is a tribute to all the work put in since dedicating herself to that goal, head coach Michelle Moreno said.

There were numerous nights when Henderson would leave a San Marcos practice, get on the road and head to Cedar Park where she practiced with her club team, Austin Jr’s. Despite getting home late, Regina Henderson recalls Taylor being awake into the morning hours finishing her studies.

“I remember when she started club ball because she plays for Austin Jr’s,” Regina Henderson said. “We would get out of practice here… go to Cedar Park. She would condition there and condition, being there until 9:30. Come home, she wouldn’t get home until 10:30 at night. Then she’d be up until one doing homework. Then she did basketball… but she 

was like ‘I can do it’ and we said ‘okay’. (Today’s) moment is a blessing to see it all pay off.”

One aspect that is often overlooked but remained equally important to Henderson was her academic performance in the classroom. Two factors weighed heavy in her decision to sign with Blinn College: Staying close to home and the nursing program offered by the Buccaneers.

“This moment is great,” Taylor Henderson said. “I’ve wanted to go to Blinn since junior year. So when I contacted them and we started talking it was a great feeling. (The college) process was really stressful but it’s finally paid off.”

During high school, Henderson committed to the nursing program and was registered as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She will continue to pursue an education in nursing as she competes on the court for Blinn College.

“We’re definitely going to miss Taylor,” Moreno said. “She has set the bar and has been a really good example for these girls. They’ve got shoes to fill. Every year (Henderson) got better. One of the things besides her skill was her passion. Her passion just grew deeper and deeper each year. I believe because of that passion and her love for the game she was able to achieve goals she set for herself. She was our go-to girl.”