Shakopee volleyball senior's game is getting loud

Shakopee senior Taylor Koehn always knows she has the upper hand on the volleyball court when she is louder than her opposition.

"It doesn't sound like much, but it's a huge part of the game," said Koehn, the right-side hitter for the Sabers.

Here is a closer look at Koehn:

The best movie I've seen in the last year? "Dark Knight Rises!"

Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me? Tall; loud; bubbly.

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are ... "Remind Me" by Brad Paisley; "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big & Rich; "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line.

What are your three favorite apps? Instagram; Snapchat; Twitter.

How did you get started playing volleyball? I signed up for a volleyball camp as a fourth-grader for something fun in the summer, and fell in love with the game. I actually was in dance at the time and gave that up to become a year-round volleyball player.

At my first varsity practice, I felt ... nervous at first, but I ended up making the team for the first year with one of my best friends, Carlee Hoppe, which helped a lot.

What did you work on in the offseason? In the offseason, I played with the Northern Lights volleyball club in Burnsville. It's such an amazing program, and a privilege to be part of it.

What is your favorite pre-match meal? Subway.

To get focused for a match, I ... sometimes listen to my iPod, but talking about the game ahead with teammates is always a great pump-up.

If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? To have longer seasons because sports are the best part of high school!

How do you balance school and sports during the year? My teammates and coaches are a huge help and support system. You can always find a girl on the team that can help, and the coaches are always very supportive and remind us to manage our time. It's definitely not easy, but well worth the long nights.

Who is your favorite college or pro sports team and why? I'm a Minnesota Gophers fan! My grandpa took me to the games as a kid and many relatives attended the school.

Do you have a secret talent - and if so, what is it? Water sports come in second to volleyball. Water-skiing, wake-boarding, tubing, and kneeboarding, I love it all.

What is the best sports advice you ever received? "True confidence is gained when you understand you can play your hardest on your side of the court regardless of who your opponent is on the other side." --Northern Lights and Lakeville North coach Walt Weaver.