Lakeview’s Taylor gets W in last home game

October 11, 2013 at 12:05a.m.

By Brandon Judeh

CORTLAND

Though the faces come and go there was always one constant in Lakeview’s gymnasium during volleyball season.

Now that face will be moving on.

After 17 years of coaching, Scott Taylor is calling it quits at the end of this season. The Bulldogs sent Taylor out a winner in his final home game as they cruised past LaBrae in straight sets, 25-19, 25-14, 25-4.

Ironically, it was LaBrae coach Alyse Consiglio’s final regular season game coaching the Vikings.

Consiglio played under Taylor during his first year of coaching at Lakeview and later went on to be his junior varsity coach for six seasons.

“It was quite a night tonight,” Taylor said. “Making it even more special was sharing this night with Alyse. She was a part of my first game, and now she is a part of my last one.”

Making the evening even more special were the dozens of former players making the trip back to their alma mater to see their former coach one last time.

“I really had no idea any of these girls were going to be here tonight,” Taylor said. “I even had some from 17 years ago show up tonight, so that’s really special to me.”

Senior Calli Schmitt, who led Lakeview (19-3, 10-0 All-American Conference American Division) with nine kills and three blocks, said senior night was made even more special knowing she and her teammates could send Taylor out with a win.

“Coach Taylor has taught me and the other girls a lot over the past four years, but he has mainly taught us to go out and have fun,” said Schmitt. “I definitely wouldn’t be the player that I am without him.”

Consiglio agreed.

“I really learned a lot from Scott over the years as both a player and coach, and he really built this program up and turned it into a contender,” Consiglio said.

Though Consiglio is still young, she also has decided to hang up her coaching gear in order to advance her teaching career and spend more time with her two young children.

“I have a license to be a principal, so I’m looking to move up in my career, and I have two toddlers at home,” she said.

But she didn’t close the door on possibly coaching again in the future.

“I have two little girls, so I’m just waiting for them to be old enough to play,” she said.

Lakeview dominated from the outset as Schmitt and Marissa Naples led the way. Naples finished with 11 points and 10 kills. Caitlin McDivitt added 10 points, nine digs and 35 assists.

For the Vikings (11-11, 5-5), Amber Davidson had five points, Paige Losey chipped in with 13 assists and Ashley Gregory added 14 digs.