Senior Taylor Palmer, one of the most prolific volleyball players to have ever taken the court for the Jacksonville Lady Eagles, has signed to play college volleyball at Samford.

Palmer follows fellow teammate Elizabeth Neisler, who graduated last year, to the Birmingham school.

In her four years as a starter, Palmer helped lead her team to four straight fin-four appearances, winning back—to-back 4A State Championships in 2007-2008.

Palmer has received many accolades to include first team All-State, All-County tournament team, All-County and was this year's Region C Most Valuable Player.

Palmer has also excelled in other sports winning the 4A State Championship in discus in 2008 and was named All-Area in basketball in 2007-2008.

An energetic player, Palmer, a 5'10" middle-hitter was quick to motivate her teammate and energize the fans when she would, as some fans have described, "Release the Beast," after making monster kills or blocks.

Personable, friendly, quick to smile, Palmer will be missed at the high school, and feels the same about her departure.

"I'm going to miss Jacksonville High School a lot," Palmer said. "Playing for Jacksonville has been the greatest experience I could have had. There are just not enough words to describe Coach (David) Clark, hands down the best coach ever.

"Jacksonville is really the best school in Calhoun County and in the state. I am proud that I had the chance to represent JHS starting from junior high up to my senior year in high school. There's no other high school in the world I would rather be a part of."

Palmer is excited to be taking her next step in education and athletics at Samford.

"On my first unofficial visit I fell in love with the campus," says Palmer. "It's so beautiful and inviting. Dex Schroeder (head coach) and Kilee Goetz (assistant coach) were so friendly and really honest about my recruiting there. They really wanted to know the real me, not just a bunch of stats and awards.

"I chose Samford mainly because of the atmosphere and the amazing beauty of the campus. My mom made a great point to me about Samford a few days before I committed. She said, 'If you can see yourself there even if you're not playing volleyball, then that should be the college for you.' I could definitely see myself there even if I wasn't going to play volleyball, so Samford was the definite choice for me!"

Taylor is the daughter of Ann and Doug Palmer. She has a younger sister, Lindsay, who also attends Jacksonville High School.