Heraldnet.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009 10:33 am
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Blog
Double Team
Tacoma News Tribune preseason basketball rankings
Podcasts:

High School Football
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Twitter Updates
    Latest gallery

    Archbishop Murphy state soccer championship
    November 21. 2009 (11 photos)
    [More Herald photos]
     
    WEEK IN REVIEW
    Wednesday
    County law could change to allow guns in parks
    Boy, 16, admits role in Sultan slaying of teen
    Swift buses ready for fast lane
    Tuesday


    Father guilty of manslaughter in girl's death
    Snohomish County budget passes, with a caveat
    Soldier with ties to Marysville killed in Afgha...
    Monday


    Economy may silence Everett Symphony's season
    Inmates with mental illness bring extra costs t...
    Help with heating bills late to arrive this year
    Sunday


    Nurse seeks help healing hidden wounds of wars
    Count drags on long after the election's over
    Groups work to help those in uniform
    Saturday


    Nearly 30 kids adopted during annual event in S...
    Gold Bar couple admit animal cruelty in puppy m...
    Arlington area man's arrest in alleged burglar'...
    Friday


    Nearly 2,000 turn out for Stevens Pass opening day
    Victim of alleged burglary now a suspect in kil...
    Shelter asks for diaper donations during holida...
    Thursday


    Safety long a concern for road involved in fata...
    State budget's $2 billion hole will require dee...
    County considers building for disaster response...
     

    ADVERTISEMENT

    High Schools   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

    (click to enlarge)
    A former competitive gymnast, Riley Taitingfong got burned out on that sport and turned to volleyball, which has been a great change of pace for her. Taitingfong worked her way up the ladder in the Marysville-Pilchuck High School volleyball program, and now she is a senior co-captain for the Tomahawks. The starting setter is known for her consistent play, excellent jump serve and willingness to help teammates. Taitingfong was recently crowned M-P's homecoming queen and she is the station manager for the school's student-run TV station.
     
    ADVERTISEMENT

     
    HIGH SCHOOL SCORES AND SCHEDULES:
    By sport:
    By date:
    By school:    • Stadium map
    By league:
    STANDINGS:
    CONTACT THE HERALD
    Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.)
    E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com
    Kevin Brown, Sports Editor
    kbrown@heraldnet.com
     
    Published: Tuesday, November 10, 2009

    Timeout with ... Riley Taitingfong

    Marysville-Pilchuck, senior, volleyball

    For about nine years, starting at age 5, Riley Taitingfong lived and breathed gymnastics.

    But when the grueling training (16 hours per week) and pressure turned into a stifling grind, she looked for a change of pace. She found volleyball, and in turn fulfillment.

    “Not only did I find that I really had a love for (volleyball), but I really enjoyed the camaraderie,” said Taitingfong, a setter. “It’s such an individual sport in gymnastics that (for) everything you rely on yourself. You practice pretty much on your own and with your coach.”

    Volleyball was refreshingly different.

    “Being able to have teammates encourage you and pick you up when you’re down,” she said, “and having to rely on them was a totally new concept for me. And I really just fell in love with it.”

    A co-captain for M-P (which was eliminated this past weekend at the Class 4A District 1 tournament), Taitingfong also loves TV dance shows, playing pranks on her coach and working for her school’s TV station.


    Coach’s corner

    Taitingfong shared captain responsibilities with boisterous senior Mikayla LaRosa. They took different approaches to the job. Taitingfong is “the more reserved one, more of a quiet leader. She leads by example,” M-P coach Shelly Johnson said.

    Ready, setter, go

    A first-year varsity team starter, Taitingfong backed up teammate Brittany Fitzmaurice last year. Taitingfong learned a lot about setting from Fitzmaurice. “She was amazing and she was really encouraging to me,” said Taitingfong. “Just watching her as kind of my role model helped me a lot, so this year I was more prepared for the kind of responsibility it was going to be.”

    QB on the court

    “Being a setter is like being the quarterback of a football team,” Taitingfong said. “You have a lot of decision-making to do and that probably has been the toughest part for me, is being more assertive about that.”

    You got served

    When she was a freshman Taitingfong had trouble serving. “It was tough. It was like a miracle if I hit the ball over the net,” she said. But Taitingfong worked at it. Now she has a tricky jump float serve. She takes two steps, tosses the ball up, takes two more steps and hits the ball. She doesn’t follow through with her hand, which creates a floating, knuckleball-like effect.

    Overseas adventure

    Taitingfong’s parents are from San Diego but they temporarily moved to Spain for work. Taitingfong was born there and lived in Spain the first four years of her life.

    What’s on TV?

    Interested in a career in communications, Taitingfong has worked for M-P’s student-led television station, TV3, since her freshman year. She is currently station manager, aka the head honcho. TV3 broadcasts a variety of content, including morning announcements, graduation ceremonies and basketball games.

    Queen Riley

    Taitingfong was excited (and surprised) to be named M-P’s 2009 homecoming queen. She and king JJ Gamalinda, who plays football, were honored during halftime of a recent football game. “It was nice. But I would have been just as happy if any of my friends won,” said Taitingfong.

    Just dance

    A longtime wannabe dancer, Taitingfong loves TV shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” and “America’s Best Dance Crew.” “I really like watching the athleticism and I’ve always secretly wished that I could be a dancer,” she said. “I don’t really have that much rhythm, but part of me always thought that that would be so cool.”

    Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.

    READER COMMENTS
    Be the first to comment.
    You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet.

    To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click hereLog out

    1. Boy, 16, admits role in Sultan slaying of teen
    2. Jet-winged adventurer ditches in Atlantic, unhurt
    3. Swift buses ready for fast lane
    4. Gunshots injure two Everett men
    5. County law could change to allow guns in parks
    6. Turkey gets attention, but don't forget the pie
    7. Enron and others pay for roles in manufactured energy ‘crisis’
    8. Beach now an enemy of the Silvertips
    9. How to make the most of Black Friday shopping
    10. Thanksgiving tradition evolves as families evolve
    Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
    Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings
    Ruling in the pool
    Archbishop Murphy takes title
    A season of performing arts
    Budget numbers have official fuming
    Wildcats move on to 2A semifinals
    Holiday Bazaars & Fairs Calendar
    Edmonds’ Westgate Chapel serves up hospitality for holiday
    Mavericks fall
    The Enterprise Online Newspaper


    $1 off French Dip
    $4.99 Burger Basket

    Nutcracker
    Family Packs Available

    $5 OFF
    Lunch or Dinner

    Oil - Snohomish County
    Low Prices - Fill Now!

    Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
    Lube Oil Filter

    $5 Off
    Stylecut

    Lube, Oil & Filter
    Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE

    75% OFF
    Many Items. Hurry!

    25% off Bath & Groom
    New Customers

    15% Off
    All Repairs!

    Holiday Specials
    up to 25% off!

    20% Off Dinner
    Up to $75 Value!

    Over 1 Million Lights
    Lights of Christmas

    FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
    30yd Carpet Purchase

    Always Free
    Transmission Diagnostic

    $2 OFF
    at Box Office

    Buy 1 Dinner Entree
    Get 2nd 50% Off

    Holiday Getaway
    $99 dbl Occupancy
    TODAY'S TOP JOBS
     View All Top Jobs 
    Top Cars
    Top Homes

    ADVERTISEMENT