MARTIN, Tenn. - Former Haywood County and Tennessee softball player Leah Taylor said going to Tennessee and playing for the Lady Vols was something she always wanted to do, but being 330 miles away from her family and home in Brownsville was just too far away.

Taylor, who signed with the Lady Vols out of high school and saw extensive action this season as a pinch runner, has decided to transfer to UT Martin and play for head coach Donley Canary and the Skyhawks.

"I am really excited about transferring," Taylor said. "I am glad to be closer to home and play for such a great program like UT Martin."

Just in case Mapquest is not handy, Taylor will be exactly 66.5 miles from Brownsville once she transfers to UT Martin, about 265 miles closer to home.

"This was an obvious choice for me," she said. "UT Martin is closer to home and it's a great school."

Taylor said her family is excited about the move as well. "They cannot wait. My mom and dad, my aunt and uncle and my grandmother will be at every game."

Taylor's family isn't the only person excited about the transfer. Canary, who has led his 2009 team to the NCAA Regional and the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title and the 2010 OVC regular season crown, is ecstatic about Taylor's decision to transfer closer to home.

"Leah will come in and help us immediately," Canary said. "We are going to put her wherever she can help us."

Taylor grew up playing second base and shortstop, but says she also likes playing the outfield.

"It doesn't matter where I play or who I play for, I am always going to give 100 percent," Taylor said.

She was a four-time selection to the All-District 14 AA Softball Team (2006-09) as well as a three-time choice to the All-District 14 AA All-Tournament squad (2007-09). Taylor helped guide Haywood County High School to the 2006 Tennessee state softball tournament.

In addition to playing softball, Taylor finished first in the District 14 AA Golf Tournament during her sophomore year and twice competed on the links at the state tournament.

She played ASA 16-U softball for Fury Fastpitch, helping the squad win ASA Southern Nationals in Altamonte Springs, Fla., in 2008 and make its first-ever appearance at 18-U Gold nationals in 2009 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Taylor excels in the classroom. She was her school's valedictorian, the Beta Club President, a member of Who's Who at Haywood County High School, the recipient of a U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award and was on the Academic Decathlon team. She was selected as Miss Haywood County High School, was chosen as a Tennessee Girls' State representative and served as the junior and senior class vice president.

Taylor's grandfather Bill Taylor played football for General Robert Neyland at Tennessee, and her father is a Tennessee alumnus.

This past season Taylor helped the Lady Vols advance to the Women's College World Series. The team was 49-15 overall and 17-8 in the Southeastern Conference. Taylor saw action in 42 games. She hit .333 and scored 13 runs.

"Leah is a very fast outfielder who has shown the ability to hit the ball extremely hard. She is a very smart player who maximizes her talents," Tennessee co-head coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly said.



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