Taygin Jump, who will be a CHS freshman in the fall, fires up a serve during a middle school match. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Jump, always right in the middle of the action.
And willing to sell out for the good of her team.
Every team needs a Taygin Jump.
The ultimate scrapper and hustler, she always has something positive to say to her teammates, and was seemingly born to collect Most Inspirational awards.
As she heads to Coupeville High School for her freshman year this fall, Jump will be a busy bee, flying right into volleyball before having to decide between track and tennis in the spring.
The exuberant young woman isn’t a one-dimensional athlete, however.
She looks forward to her language arts classes, enjoys writing and reading non-fiction, and is a huge fan of animals.
“I love animals, especially cats,” Jump said. “Though I do not have a cat of my own, because my two malamutes would eat a cat…”
She bops through a wide variety of music, depending on her mood, and is an equal opportunity film fan, watching the best of both Marvel and DC superhero films.
Most of all, Jump remains outgoing, the type of person who brings others together.
“I love hanging out with all of my friends and having a good laugh.”
That extends to her time on the court, where Jump can always be found at the heart of the action, usually providing a steady stream of chatter and vocal support to her fellow players.
“I enjoy being part of a team,” she said. “I enjoy learning and building on the skills and knowledge coaches teach me.
“I enjoy the challenges of the games and becoming a stronger person on and off the court,” Jump added. “My strengths as an athlete are team work and building the team’s spirit.”
While she enjoys every sport she’s involved in, the lure of racking up digs and spikes is irresistible.
“100% volleyball! I enjoy volleyball because there are a variety of skills and plays in each and every moment in the game,” Jump said.
“I feel each position is absolutely necessary to execute each play,” she added. “The challenge of watching the opposing team to determine what their play is and how I will help and guide my team to defend against it, is truly inspiring.”
Jump credits those who have worked to shape her game with providing a positive influence.
“Mainly my club volleyball coaches and (CHS) Coach Cory (Whitmore),” she said. “My club coaches had a huge impact on my skills. They helped me develop the skills I needed to work better as a team and individual player.
“Coach Cory lets me stay after practices and skills camps to work on my technique and encourages me to keep working hard.”
As she progresses in the game she loves, Jump continues to refine her skills, always looking to reach new levels of success.
“I would like to work on balancing academics with practices and games,” she said.
“Also, I struggle with being a stronger player; for example if someone on the court is louder than me, I won’t be as loud as I normally would.”
Jump is in it for the long haul however, and, as her career soars, so should her confidence.
Ask me what former CHS volleyball star she reminds me of, and I will say Valen Trujillo, who holds the CHS volleyball career record for digs and was a multiple All-Conference selection.
Jump, like Trujillo before her, provides a beautiful combination of hustle, passion for the sport, positive mind-set, and an unflagging ability to elevate the play of those around her.
“I believe I am a great team player, and I plan to be a CHS volleyball player my entire high school career,” Jump said.
Will the sport lead her to new heights? She hopes so, and plans to put in the necessary work to make a run at big-time success.
“It would be ideal to receive a volleyball scholarship and continue to play through college,” Jump said. “I’m also considering becoming a coach for volleyball or work my way up to playing professional volleyball.”
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