Taylor Wiebold is a quiet leader on the court.

The three-year senior varsity member of the Ponderosa High School volleyball team is intensely competitive, but you wouldn't be able to tell based on her expressions.

She can thank her parents for that intensity. Before every game, she talks with her mom and dad for advice and words of encouragement before stepping onto the court.

The 5-foot-11 Wiebold is the Mustangs' (10-4) go-to middle hitter with the highest hit percentage in the Continental League.

But what Wiebold loves is seeing her teammates succeed more than herself.

“I really like it when I can encourage other people,” Wiebold said. “When they get a really good kill or really good ace or something, and I can bring them up and in turn that can bring the team up.”

Key statistics

Wiebold's 38.1 hit percentage and 49.7 kill percentage are the highest in the leauge among players with at least 100 attempts.

Coach's take

“Being a three-year varsity player is definitely something that's nice coming in as a coach. You have that experience and leadership, and I think that shows on the court in how she plays and how she carries herself. She's someone who's extremely competitive, but it may not be exhibited outwardly. I think that a lot of her teammates thrive on that, and that's helped push us over the edge.”

Jenny Bellairs, Ponderosa volleyball head coach

What do you love about volleyball?

I love being part of a team. I love that we can all work together. Especially in a high school environment, I love being able to see the girls in the hallway, encourage them. I just love that team camaraderie.

What athletes do you look up to?

Not in volleyball, but I look up to Simone Biles, Peyton Manning, which is kind of cheesy, and I actually look up to one of the girls who graduated last year, Abigail…, because she's just a big inspiration.

Do you have a pre-game ritual?

I always listen to music. That kind of gets me in my zone.

What's the best piece of advice your parents have given you?

To have fun. Do what you love.

Do you have any plans after high school?

I don't know where I'm going to school yet. That's undecided. I will be playing volleyball, probably intramural level, but I will be playing. I love volleyball so much.

What's your favorite subject in school?

I'm really into science and mathematical kind of classes. I think my favorite class right now would probably be Statistical Reasoning, and I really like chemistry.

Is that what you want to study?

I really want to go into elementary education, because I love working with kids. I love being able to positively impact them.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Funny enough, the attitudes of my teammates... today, for example, one of the girls had a really tough day and I talked to her afterward, and she seemed really encouraged and motivated to keep working hard. That makes me feel good. That makes me think `Let's go positively impact someone's day.' That's what gets me out of bed. That and my alarm and the fact I'm going to be tardy.