Maddie Taitano | Sports Recruits

About Me

Audrey Hepburn inspires me the most. Not only does she have great fashion sense, but she is a talented and incredible person! Her perseverance and survival in World War II instilled the deep value of empathy for others in her. She exemplified this through her work as an ambassador for UNICEF, advocating for children in crisis, and raising awareness about other humanitarian causes. She also inspired young girls that “True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.” Her elegance, timeless style, and unwavering compassion for others is truly inspiring and what I aspire to embody!

Something special about me that many people don’t know is that I was born 12 weeks early! I am a proud NICU baby!  In five years, I see myself having completed my bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s and my master’s from Notre Dame. By then, I plan to be a CPA but am also interested in investment banking. I see myself landing a job at Goldman Sachs or Deloitte. I also see myself living in New York, Chicago, or even abroad in London or Paris. Either way I see myself traveling a lot whether it’s for work or exploring the world! Alongside my career, I hope to be running my own fashion brand.  I want to thank my Mom, Dad, and my older sister, Jessy, for the constant support and love that they have provided me all these years! Also, my Bellarmine and Puget Sound family! And most of all God!

• High School: Bellarmine Preparatory School
• Hometown: Tacoma, WA
• College Commitment: Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame & University of Notre Dame
• Degree Pursuing: BS in Business Administration + MS in Accountancy at ND
• Years at PSVBA: 9

Volleyball Accomplishments:

• Offensive Player of the Year 3A PSL (Sr)
• First Team Washington All-State 3A (Sr)
• First Team All-League 3A PSL (Sr)
• Tacoma News Tribune All-Area First Team (Sr)
• 2X MVP Bellarmine Prep Varsity Volleyball (Jr, Sr)
• Tacoma Athletic Commission Fall Athlete of the Year Nominee
• 2X Varsity Team Captains Award (Jr, Sr)
• First Team All-League 4A SPSL (Jr)
• Honorable Mention Washington All-State Team 4A (Jr)
• Honorable Mention All-League SPSL (So)
• 5x Qualified USAV Nationals Championships

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

• St. Vincent de Paul ‘21 Salutatorian
• National Honors Society
• 2X Senior/Executive Yearbook Editor
• Campus Ministry Rector
• 2X Knights of Columbus Scholarship Recipient
• Puget Sound League Sportsmanship Leader for Bellarmine Prep Athletics

MY FAVORITES

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” ‭‭ Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9

• Volleyball Memories:  I cherish every match that qualified my club team for Nationals! I was able to share those sweet moments with my Dad on the bench! He had coached us every year we qualified, that’s what made it so memorable. Another one of my favorite memories was when my high school team, Bellarmine Prep Lions, punched our ticket to State my junior and senior year!
• Song: Adventure of Lifetime – Coldplay
• Color: Baby Pink and Tiffany Blue

Advice I would give to younger players is “Embrace many of the trials and tribulations you might face! Some of the most profound lessons that have stuck with me came from my greatest struggles in my career.  So, stick with it and do not give up! Keep working hard and you will reap the benefits.”