Less than 10 percent of the world’s population is left-handed and in volleyball circles lefties at the net are seemingly even more scarce than that.
Ozark’s Taylor Samson stands out as such a southpaw and on Thursday she stood out for all the right reasons, as well, in the Lady Tigers’ sweep of Webb City.
Ozark won 25-22, 25-14, 25-20 to improve to 13-6 overall and 2-0 in the COC.
Samson collected seven kills and three blocks. The senior right-side hitter is averaging 2.2 kills a set, twice has reached double figures in kills and has a .350 kill percentage.
She’s happy being left-handed on the Lady Tigers’ right side.
“It’s an advantage for me,” Samson said. “It’s harder for the block to line up with me because they’re used to the majority of people being right-handed.”
“Being left-handed is a blessing on the right side,” coach Adeana Brewer agreed.
Middle blocker Hanna Vorhies, who netted nine kills and four aces against Webb City, adds Samson is tough for opponents to read because she doesn’t telegraph her hits.
“I’ve seen her with her hit left-handed and how it can be so useful and tricky,” Vorhies said. “Other teams don’t expect her line-shot. It’s been fun to watch her grow.”
“When I look like I’m trying to hit across (the court0, I’m trying to get it down the line,” Samson said.
Samson and Vorhiss are both seniors, but this is their first season playing alongside each other on a regular basis since they were in eighth grade. Vorhies has been playing varsity for four seasons, while this is Samson’s first go-around as a starter on the varsity.
“She’s played jayvee up until her senior year, so she’s waited for this opportunity,” Brewer said.
“I’ve put it all out there this year, stepped it up and it’s really paying off,” Samson said.
Samson and Ozark setter Madi Reed were both back in action this week, after suffering knee injuries at the Springfield Classic.
“I came down after a block and had sharp pain behind my knee, but it wasn’t anything serious,” Samson said. “I felt great coming back. But on Tuesday (at Branson), I was babying myself, not taking a full approach and was kind of scared I was going to tweak it again. Today, I felt a lot more confident.”
Setter Ellie Schrader did her part in Ozark’s sweep of Webb City and reached the 1,000-assist milestone.
Next up for Ozark is a home match Tuesday with Nixa (13-0 and 2-0).
“I’m looking forward to seeing how we come through,” Samson said. “We’re the underdog. I would love to see us pull through and get the win.”
