Prairie View A&M University Athletics

Tayler Ruffin, a sophomore setter from Nashville, Tennessee, is majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Prairie View A&M. She previously attended Goodpasture Christian School. Tayler’s high school coach inspired her to pursue volleyball seriously and pushed her to strive for excellence beyond high school.

Her favorite all-time movie is Avatar: The Way of Water, and she enjoys the music of Bruno Mars. Christmas stands out as her favorite holiday because of the opportunity to bring her entire family together. Her hobbies include painting, reading, and taking walks.

Tayler’s passion for volleyball is driven by the desire to open new doors for herself and inspire others who may be watching. She believes that one of the greatest challenges for athletes today is consistently attending treatment while being mentally equipped to face and persevere through adversity.

One of Tayler’s most memorable moments in volleyball occurred during her senior year at a tournament in Kerrville, where her team won the championship, and she received a medal for being an outstanding player. This experience boosted her confidence and increased her chances of being recruited.

In five years, Tayler hopes to complete her education, potentially pursuing a career in physical therapy, start paying off her student loans, and travel. Her dream job is still to be determined. She chose Prairie View A&M for its welcoming community, vibrant campus life, and proximity to home, which allows her family to support her throughout her collegiate career.