10 Seconds With Mikki Taffe

By Justin Siewierski; Editor-in-Chief

On October 6, 2016

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10 Seconds With Mikki Taffe

Justin Siewierksi

Editor-In-Chief

js2010@plymouth.edu

With the fall sports finally hitting full swing, the PSU volleyball team is amongst the soundest groups on campus. After losing in the quarterfinal round in last year’s Little East Conference playoffs, the team is looking for a little redemption. With six seniors filling the court, it’s no surprise that they hold a 3-1 conference record, and nobody makes more noise on the court than Mikki Taffe.

The senior middle leads the team with 42 blocks through their first 17 games. Standing at an even 6’0,” it’s no wonder that she’s 6th in the LEC for blocks/set. Hitting .236 on the year, Taffe’s been on a hot streak through the last three games. She’s posted back- to-back games with 10 kills, and sits at 10th in the LEC in hitting percentage.

“Mikki is an essential part of our team’s success,” said teammate Brenna Peruch. “She is extremely passionate about our team.”

Taffe has been a major contributor for Plymouth since her freshman year. With 227 total blocks and 769.5 total points in her career, she makes a significant impact. Hailing from Sandown, New Hampshire, she’s also finishing up her final year in Marketing.

“Off the court, she’s an amazing friend,” Peruch added. “Mikki is the type of person person that will have your back, no matter what.”

When did you first start playing volleyball?

I have now been playing for 11 years. I first started playing volleyball when I was in 6th grade.

As a senior, what's been your greatest memory at PSU?

I can’t pinpoint one specific memory from here at PSU but my favorites all have to deal with volleyball and my teammates. We are always together and we have some great girls on the team so we are always having a great time.

Why did you choose Plymouth?

I choose Plymouth for volleyball. When I came here on my recruit visit I loved the area that Plymouth is in, and the girls on the team were extremely nice and inviting.

You guys have a long break coming up until your next conference match. How are you and the team preparing for Keene?

We are going to prepare for Keene the same way we prepare for every match. We watch film from when we have played them in the past and film of them this year playing another team. From this, we pick out key players and practice strategies in order to shut them down. We try to treat every game the same and not put more pressure on one match so that we can play level headed.

What's the hardest part about being a student-athlete?

I think that the hardest part about being a student-athlete is balancing playing a sport, school work, and having a social life. During the season I find it to be more difficult to find time to just relax and hang out with friends who aren't on the team.

What's one thing you can take away from playing a college sport?

The one thing that I can take away from playing a college sport is dedication. It has taught me how to stay focused and committed to one thing no matter what issues come along. This mentality is something that I am going to be able to carry on with me and will help me with work in the future.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years I hope to be using my sales degree at whichever firm I get a job at after graduation and have paid off all of my student loans. Not the most glamorous goal, but it is a necessity!

What's your pre-game routine?

My pregame routine isn't the most interesting. I am the "Team Hair Braider" which means that I do everyone’s hair before the game. I am usually running around trying to get it all done before we have to be on the court, which doesn't leave much time for rituals.

How would you convince a recruit to come to Plymouth? What would you say to them?

I would tell them about how great of a university Plymouth is. I’d tell them about my personal experiences, and how much I have grown here as a person. I would also make sure that she felt welcomed and that she really liked the team. The girls that I met on my recruit visit were a huge factor when I decided where to go, so I would want them to feel the same.