For the second time this season and the fourth time in her career, Valparaiso sophomore libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) has been voted ‘The People’s Choice’ on the Horizon League Network.  Root is currently spotlighted in a video on the Horizon League website via phone interview.

Root was up for ‘The People’s Choice’ voting after earning her third Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week honor.  The sophomore stood out in the back row in Valpo’s pair of sweeps last week, registering match highs of 22 digs at Oakland and 21 digs against UIC.  Root, who also received Top Performer recognition from CVU.com for the second time this year, entered the week ranked second nationally with 5.82 digs/set and, through Monday’s sweep at SIU Edwardsville, has 545 total digs this year, already sixth-most in a single season in program history.

In this week’s video, Root talks with HLN’s Jaclyn Bevis about the week that was, looking back at the sweeps of Oakland and UIC.  She also discusses the team’s focus right now, how the team has helped her been successful on an individual level and shares some thoughts about junior setter Jenny Pokorny.  Root then looks ahead to the upcoming pair of matches at the ARC and how the big crowds at home have helped the Crusaders.  Finally, Root shares an exclusive scoop on her Halloween costume for this weekend.

Root and the rest of the Crusaders return to action Friday night at the ARC in Horizon League action against Green Bay, with first serve set for 7 p.m.