Valparaiso sophomore libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) has been named ‘The People’s Choice’ this week on the Horizon League Network, and is currently spotlighted in a video on the website via phone interview.

The Crusaders are no stranger to earning ‘The People’s Choice’ honor, as five different Valpo athletes were featured a total of six times last year in the feature’s inaugural year on HLN.  Root is now a three-time winner of the honor after winning this year’s first weekly vote.

Root was eligible for the distinction after being named Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts on the court last week.  The sophomore averaged better than six digs a set and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Appalachian Invitational, helping the Crusaders to the tournament victory.  Root’s tournament culminated with a career-best 35-dig effort in the championship match against the host Mountaineers, the third-most digs in a four-set match in Valpo history.

In this week’s ‘The People’s Choice’ video, Root chats with HLN’s Jaclyn Bevis about her mindset entering her sophomore season and her increased aggression in the back row.  She also looks back on the pair of tight matches against Eastern Kentucky and Appalachian State to close last weekend’s tournament, as well as how losing the opening match of the season actually helped this Crusader team.  The interview closes with Root briefly looking ahead to this weekend’s tournament at Bradley.