Taylor Landfair is a sophomore outside from Plainfield, Ill. As a freshman in 2020-21, Landfair was named First Team All-Big Ten, an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and the AVCA North Region Freshman of the Year. She came to Minnesota as the nation's No. 1 overall recruit and immediately delivered, playing in every match and ranking second on the team with 202 kills (3.03 k/s).
GS: Why did you get into volleyball and at what age did you start playing?
TL: I believe I was in fourth or fifth grade. Previously I played a bunch of different sports - basketball, soccer, I danced - but then I had to choose 1-2 that I really wanted to do. She started showing me volleyball because she played when she was younger and I just loved it. She showed me the techniques such as simple passing, setting and hitting. When I was in sixth grade I started playing club for Sports Performance and pretty much focused on volleyball ever since.
GS: What's your favorite part of being an outside?
TL: Definitely hitting. I like being able to trick the other team with a little roll shot or hitting it over the block. I also love blocking because there's nothing like getting on top of the ball for a huge stuff and everyone on the team goes crazy. It's such a big momentum builder.
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
TL: My recruiting process was actually pretty chill. It helped that my mom was there for me the whole time (she ran track at North Carolina) to help me navigate the process. She made it a priority to be by my side the whole time. I started to get college letters in seventh grade but she didn't let me see them until I was in high school so I wouldn't get 'big-headed.' We kind of narrowed down my list of schools that I was really interested in and then focused on them in terms of visits, calls and everything like that.
GS: Besides Minnesota, what other schools were you considering in the process?
TL: Minnesota was obviously contacting me, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Florida, Penn State and Stanford. But my top three were Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
GS: What made you ultimately choose Minnesota?
TL: When I came on the visits here, it was really eye-catching that whenever I'd come around the girls on the team were so welcoming towards me. They always came up and asked me how I'm doing and if I had any questions and just made me feel really comfortable. Lexi Hart, Taylor Morgan and Stephanie [Samedy] would always be the first ones to welcome me and that meant a lot. Also, I really liked everything else - the campus is gorgeous and the coaches are obviously really good.
GS: What were your conversations with Coach McCutcheon like?
TL: He always told me I have so much potential and he can see so much in me. He wants to help me develop into the best player in the entire world. If he believes I can be that good, than I believe it too. He's coached in the Olympics and he's coached so many great players and teams - I just knew he was who I wanted to play for.
GS: When exactly did you know that you were going to make the final decision to come be a Gopher?
TL: It was my third visit here and I was in the hotel room with my mom. It was late after a game and she was just talking to me about if I think I'm getting close to a decision on the school I want to go to. So we went and made a pros and cons list about the schools I was considering and there were so many more pros than cons with Minnesota. I looked at her and I go 'I want to go to Minnesota,' and then I committed the next day.
GS: What was it like going through your first season as a Gopher last season during the COVID-19 pandemic?
TL: Even though we didn't have any fans, I still thought it was a great experience. We still honed in on the process and kept the big picture in our minds so once it came time to compete, I was ready. I thought I'd be more nervous, but I just remembered how much work I've put in and knew that I was ready for this level.
GS: You had an excellent freshman season, making All-American, All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshmen teams. What did it mean to you to be able to accomplish those feats?
TL: I thought it was really cool, just because there are so many good players out there and it's an honor to receive any recognition. It made me want to keep working and become the best player I can be to help my team.
GS: This year you've been dealing with an injury early in the season - what's it been like having to deal with that adversity?
TL: I'm just trying to focus on the positives and work on the things I can get better at before I'm fully ready to get back in there. I've been working on my passing and serve receive especially and just honing in on my techniques. Off the court, I'm just trying to be the best teammate I can be, encouraging everyone else and still having fun and showing support on the sidelines.
GS: What goals do you have for the team this year?
TL: I definitely want to try and win the Big Ten and make it to a Final Four. I think that would be so cool and it's always been a dream of mine. I think we have the potential and we've been working on the things we've struggled with early on. We've really made so many improvements.
GS: What goals do you have for yourself this year?
TL: To improve the efficiency of my arm swing. Also to get out of my comfort zone more with my shots and my serve. Just being able to mix it up and be able to succeed in a lot of ways on the court.
GS: Why did you choose the No. 12?
TL: My dad was No. 12 his whole life when he played basketball. Me and him were both born on the 12th, I'm November and he's March. I was born on the 12th, my sister was born on the 4th, my brother Junior was born on the 3rd and my other brother Taten was born on the 5th. All those numbers together equal 12, so it's just a great number!
GS: Which games are you looking forward to most this year?
TL: Definitely Nebraska and Wisconsin. Those were two other schools I was considering and they're obviously two of the best teams in the conference. Those are going to be big games for us.
GS: What do you like to do most off the court?
TL: I love hanging out with my friends and teammates. I just like being active, going to the mall and just being outside the apartment. I like to go and do things and see new places.
GS: What's something that Gopher fans don't know about you?
TL: I used to be a cheerleader (flyer) in third grade. Most people don't believe me just because I'm so tall. When I was in fifth grade I grew seven inches in one summer, so I wasn't always this tall!
