{{Short description|American volleyball player (born 1992)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use American English|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox volleyball player | name = Taylor Sander | full_name = Taylor Lee Sander | image = Taylor Sander (Legavolley 2018).jpg | nickname = ''The Sandman''<br /> ''Prince-Ti-Tey'' | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|3|17|mf=yes}} | birth_place = Fountain Valley, California, U.S. | position = Outside hitter | height = {{convert|1.93|m|order=flip}} | weight = {{convert|80|kg|order=flip}} | spike = {{convert|358|cm|order=flip}} | block = {{convert|330|cm|order=flip}} | college = Brigham Young University | team = | currentnumber = 3 | years = {{Ubl | 2011–2014 | 2014–2016 | 2016–2017 | 2017 | 2017–2018 | 2018–2019 | 2020–2021 | 2024–Present }} | clubs = {{Ubl | BYU Cougars | Verona Volley | Beijing Volleyball | Al Arabi Doha | Volley Lube | Sada Cruzeiro | Skra Bełchatów | Bogor LavAni }} | nationalyears = 2012–2021 | nationalteam = {{vb|USA}} | medaltemplates-title = Medal record | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport| Men's volleyball }} {{MedalCountry| {{USA}} }} {{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}} {{MedalBronze|2016 Rio de Janeiro|}} {{MedalCompetition|FIVB World Championship}} {{MedalBronze|2018 Bulgaria/Italy|}} {{MedalCompetition|FIVB World Cup}} {{MedalGold|2015 Japan|}} {{MedalCompetition|FIVB World League}} {{MedalGold|2014 Florence|}} {{MedalBronze|2015 Rio de Janeiro|}} {{MedalCompetition|FIVB Nations League}} {{MedalSilver|2019 Chicago|}} {{MedalBronze|2018 Lille|}} {{MedalCompetition|Pan American Cup}} {{MedalGold|2012 Santo Domingo|}} {{MedalCompetition|NORCECA Championship}} {{MedalGold|2017 Colorado Springs|}} }}
'''Taylor Lee Sander''' (born March 17, 1992) is an American professional beach volleyball player and indoor volleyball player. As a member of the U.S. national team, he won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2018 World Championship. The 2014 World League and the 2015 World Cup winner.
==Personal life== Sander is the son of Steven and Kera Sander. He has an older sister and a younger brother, Brenden, who also plays volleyball and is a current member of Brazilian team Sada Volei Cruzeiro. He graduated from Norco High School in Norco, California.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/athletes/Taylor-Sander |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820011042/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/athletes/taylor-sander |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |title=Taylor Sander |publisher=Team USA |access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> At BYU Taylor majored in Global Studies. His parents are LDS, and he grew up LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – also known by the nickname Mormons).<ref name="brandongurney">{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/1/29/20248048/5-questions-byu-outside-hitter-taylor-sander |title=5 questions: BYU outside hitter Taylor Sander |first1=Brandon |last1=Gurney |date=January 28, 2012 |work=Deseret News |access-date=October 11, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In July 2015, he married Rachel McQuivey, who represented the BYU Track & Field team as a long jumper and hurdler. In June 2018, Taylor and Rachel welcomed their first child and in November of 2021 they welcomed their second. Taylor and Rachel divorced in July 2021, prior to the birth of their second child.
==Career==
===Beach Volleyball=== In the summer of 2022, Sander started his professional beach volleyball career with Taylor Crabb. The team won the 2022 AVP Phoenix Open - Sept 24 - 25. Then, two months later, on November 13, 2022 Sander and Crabb also won the 2022 AVP Tour Series Huntington Beach Open, having entered the tournament as the #1 seed. They came away with $8,000 in prize winnings.
===College=== He was recruited by USC, Long Beach State, UC Irvine, and BYU.<ref name=vtf>{{cite news |last1=Curtis |first1=Matt |title=Know the Bro: Men's volleyball star Taylor Sander |url=http://www.vanquishthefoe.com/byu-olympic-sports/2013/12/7/5186478/know-the-bro-byu-cougars-mens-volleyball-taylor-sander-all-american |accessdate=June 12, 2014 |publisher=Vanquish the Foe |date=December 7, 2013}}</ref> At Brigham Young University Sander was a four-time AVCA All-American (three first-team citations, one second-team citation), the 2014 AVCA Player of the Year,<ref name=sltrib>{{cite news |last1=Drew |first1=Jay |title=BYU's Taylor Sander earns AVCA Player of the Year honors |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsbyusports/57887667-65/sander-byu-per-player.html.csp |accessdate=June 12, 2014 |publisher=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=April 30, 2014}}</ref> 2013 and 2014 MPSF Player of the Year, 2013 and 2014 MPSF Tournament MVP, and four-time All-MPSF First Team. He holds the BYU all-time single-match record for service aces (nine) and career service aces (182). In the rally-scoring era, is No. 1 at BYU in career kills (1,743), career attempts (3,464), career service aces (182), season attempts (1,021 in 2014), season service aces (55 in 2014) and aces in a match (nine).<ref name=ncaa>{{cite news |title=BYU sweeps California Baptist as Taylor Sander sets program kills record |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/volleyball-men/article/2014-03-23/byu-sweeps-california-baptist-taylor-sander-sets-program |accessdate=June 12, 2014 |publisher=NCAA |date=March 23, 2014}}</ref>
Regarding his decision to attend BYU he said in January 2012, "Growing up in Huntington Beach (Calif.) I've always been a big BYU fan. I grew up LDS and with my parents being LDS, that was the school we always cheered for and I've always wanted to go to BYU since I was a kid."<ref name="brandongurney"/>
===Club=== Sander signed a contract with Verona Volley, an Italian Serie A1 team (top level), on June 10, 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=MB |title=BYU Volleyball: Taylor Sander to play professional volleyball in Italy |url=http://www.vanquishthefoe.com/byu-olympic-sports/2014/6/11/5800280/taylor-sander-to-play-pro-volleyball-in-italy-byu-cougars-volleyball |accessdate=June 12, 2014 |publisher=Vanquish the Foe |date=June 11, 2014}}</ref>
===National team=== Sander competed with Team USA in the 2014 FIVB World League. 4th ranked U.S. upset 1st ranked Brazil to win the tournament, and Sander was named "best outside spiker" and tournament MVP (which included a $30,000 prize award).<ref>{{cite news |title=USA upset Brazil to claim second World League title |url=http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldLeague/2014/viewPressRelease.asp?No=47373&Language=en |accessdate=July 21, 2014 |agency=FIVB.org |date=July 20, 2014}}</ref>
He was on the U.S. men's roster for the 2014 FIVB World Championships in Poland, August 30 – September 21, 2014 and was selected as U.S. Volleyball's Men's Team Rookie of the Year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/January/09/2014-of-the-Year-Awards-recap |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113004613/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/January/09/2014-of-the-Year-Awards-recap |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 13, 2015 |title=2014 of the Year Awards: recap |work=Team USA |date=January 9, 2015}}</ref>
He was a member of the U.S. team that competed in the 2015 NORCECA Champions Cup in Detroit, Michigan, May 21–23, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/20/Teams-Start-Engines-for-Champions-Cup |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524030858/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/20/Teams-Start-Engines-for-Champions-Cup |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |title=Teams Start Engines for Champions Cup |work=Team USA |date=May 20, 2015}}</ref> Against Mexico May 21, 2015, Sander had 7 points on 6 spikes and 1 block. The U.S. defeated Mexico 25-15, 25-12, 25-17.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/21/Team-USA-Serves-Tough-to-Top-Mexico |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525010231/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/21/Team-USA-Serves-Tough-to-Top-Mexico |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |title=Team USA Serves Tough to Top Mexico |work=Team USA |date=May 21, 2015}}</ref> The following day Team USA defeated Cuba in four sets, 20-25, 25-17, 25-10, 25-14, guaranteeing a top two finish and a spot in the 2015 FIVB World Cup to be held September 8–23, 2015 in Japan. Sander totaled 15 points on 10 spikes, 3 blocks, and 2 aces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/22/US-Men-Qualify-for-World-Cup-with-Win |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526002601/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/22/US-Men-Qualify-for-World-Cup-with-Win |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |title=US Men Qualify for World Cup with Win |work=Team USA |date=May 22, 2015}}</ref> In the championship match, May 23, 2015, the U.S. lost to Canada in five sets, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 21-25, 15-17. He again totaled 15 points, this time on 12 spikes and 3 aces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/23/Canada-Wins-Border-Battle-over-US-Men |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526032738/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/23/Canada-Wins-Border-Battle-over-US-Men |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |title=Canada Wins Border Battle over US Men |work=Team USA |date=May 23, 2015}}</ref>
He is on the U.S. Preliminary Roster for the 2015 FIVB World League.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/April/15/Newcomers-Vets-Combine-on-World-League-Roster |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418115025/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/April/15/Newcomers-Vets-Combine-on-World-League-Roster |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |title=Newcomers Vets Combine on World League Roster |work=Team USA |date=April 15, 2015}}</ref> He played in the first World League match against Iran, May 30, 2015, in Los Angeles. He led all scorers with 19 points on 16 kills, two blocks and one ace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/30/US-Surprises-Leave-Iran-at-a-Loss |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602162603/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/30/US-Surprises-Leave-Iran-at-a-Loss |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 2, 2015 |title=US Surprises Leave Iran at a Loss |work=Team USA |date=May 30, 2015}}</ref> During the U.S. broadcast of this match on the NBC Sports Network May 31, 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/events/international/2015-world-league/schedule |title=Schedule |work=Team USA |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627064150/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/events/international/2015-world-league/schedule |archivedate=June 27, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Sander appeared to injure his ankle late in the 3rd set after colliding with a teammate on a block attempt and landing awkwardly. Thomas Jaeschke came in soon afterwards and finished out the set, but Sander returned to play all of the 4th set.
He did not play in the second match against Iran and was not on the roster for the next two matches against Russia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/31/US-Men-Go-2-0-against-Iran-in-World-League |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701185819/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/May/31/US-Men-Go-2-0-against-Iran-in-World-League |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |title=US Men Go 2 0 against Iran in World League |work=Team USA |date=May 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/05/US-Men-Make-it-Past-Russia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609005007/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/05/US-Men-Make-it-Past-Russia |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |title=US Men Make it Past Russia |work=Team USA |date=June 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/06/US-Men-Make-it-4-0-in-World-League |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609033912/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/06/US-Men-Make-it-4-0-in-World-League |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |title=US Men Make it 4-0 in World League |work=Team USA |date=June 6, 2015}}</ref> He also was not on the roster for the matches against Poland June 12 and 13, 2015, in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, due to an ankle injury, but did travel and practice with the team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/11/US-Men-Renew-Rivalry-with-Poland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615022723/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/11/US-Men-Renew-Rivalry-with-Poland |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2015 |title=US Men Renew Rivalry with Poland |work=Team USA |date=June 11, 2015}}</ref> Coach John Speraw mentioned during the press conference following the 2nd match against Poland that he was not sure when Sander would be ready to play again.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0XHdGsxdKE |title=2015 FIVB World League USA Poland Men's Volleyball SATURDAY Press Conference 6 13 2015 |date=June 15, 2015 |work=YouTube}}</ref>
He traveled with the team to Iran and was back on the roster for the June 19 and 21 matches played/to be played in Tehran, Iran at the Azadi Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/18/US-Men-in-Iran-to-Play-Historic-Matches |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619045326/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/18/US-Men-in-Iran-to-Play-Historic-Matches |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 19, 2015 |title=US Men in Iran to Play Historic Matches |work=Team USA |date=June 18, 2015}}</ref> He played the entire 3rd set of the 0-3 (19-25, 27-29, 20-25) loss to Iran June 19, 2015. He scored 5 points on 5 kills from 9 attempts. He also had 1 dig and 4 excellent receptions out of 5 attempts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/19/Iran-Soundwave-Sweeps-Away-US-Men |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624064804/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2015/June/19/Iran-Soundwave-Sweeps-Away-US-Men |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 24, 2015 |title= Iran Sound Wave Sweeps Away U.S. Men |work=Team USA |date=June 19, 2015}}</ref>
==Honors==
===Club=== * '''CEV Champions League''' ** 16px 2017–18 – with Cucine Lube Civitanova * '''FIVB Club World Championship''' ** 16px Poland 2017 – with Cucine Lube Civitanova * '''CSV South American Club Championship''' ** 16px Belo Horizonte 2019 – with Sada Cruzeiro * '''CEV Challenge Cup''' ** 16px 2015–16 – with Calzedonia Verona * '''Domestic''' ** '''2016–17''' 16px Qatari Cup, with Al Arabi Doha ** '''2018–19''' 16px Brazilian Cup, with Sada Cruzeiro
===Youth national team=== * '''2008''' 16px NORCECA U19 Championship * '''2010''' 16px NORCECA U21 Championship
===Individual awards=== * '''2012:''' Pan American Cup – Most valuable player * '''2013:''' NCAA national championship – All-tournament Team * '''2013:''' Pan American Cup – Best server * '''2014:''' AVCA National Player of the Year * '''2014:''' NCAA national championship – All-tournament team * '''2014:''' FIVB World League – Most valuable player * '''2014:''' FIVB World League – Best outside hitter * '''2016:''' CEV Challenge Cup – Most valuable player * '''2018:''' FIVB Nations League – Best outside hitter * '''2019:''' CSV South American Club Championship – Most valuable player
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons}} * {{AVP|taylor-sander}} * {{FIVB}} * {{CEV|name=Taylor Lee Sander}} * {{Beach Volleyball Database}} * [https://byucougars.com/athlete/m-volleyball/16320/Taylor-Sander Taylor Sander] at BYU Cougars * [https://usavolleyball.org/athlete/taylor-sander/ Taylor Sander] at USA Volleyball * {{Team USA|new_id=taylor-sander-810372|old_id=SA/Taylor-Sander|archive=20221130004717}} * {{Olympics.com}} * {{Olympedia}} * {{Instagram}}
{{United States men volleyball team 2015 FIVB World Cup}} {{United States men's volleyball squad 2016 Summer Olympics}} {{United States men's volleyball squad 2018 World Championship}} {{Footer USA Volleyball 2016 Summer Olympics}} {{Footer USA Volleyball 2020 Summer Olympics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sander, Taylor}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Fountain Valley, California Category:Norco High School alumni Category:American men's beach volleyball players Category:American men's volleyball players Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in volleyball Category:Volleyball players at the 2016 Summer Olympics Category:Volleyball players at the 2020 Summer Olympics Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics Category:American expatriate volleyball players in Italy Category:American expatriate volleyball players in China Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Qatar Category:Expatriate volleyball players in Qatar Category:American expatriate volleyball players in Brazil Category:American expatriate volleyball players in Poland Category:BYU Cougars men's volleyball players Category:Verona Volley players Category:Skra Bełchatów players Category:Outside hitters Category:21st-century American sportsmen