After three seasons with Junior Heat volleyball program, Sadie Taylor-Parks is making the step up to UBC Okanagan鈥檚 varsity squad.

The 6-foot-1 middle blocker from 琉璃神社 Secondary School has signed on with her hometown university for the 2017-18 Canada West season.

For Sadie Taylor-Parks, staying at home to play in familiar surroundings was a good fit.

鈥淎s a part of the Junior Heat family I am feeling fortunate for the opportunity to play for the varsity team this fall,鈥� said Taylor-Parks. 鈥淚 look to bring positive energy and strong work ethic to the team as I learn new skills and improve my game. I am excited to call the Heat program my home for the next five years.鈥�

A major reason why Taylor-Parks chose UBC Okanagan was the connection with the Junior Heat club team over the past few seasons, along with the training received while a part of Volleyball Canada Centre for Excellence (VCCE).

In both cases her coaching was led by Heat varsity assistant coach Becki Kosinski. Academics also weighed heavily on her decision as Taylor-Parks looked at the strong science program offered by UBC Okanagan.

With the familiarity of the Junior Heat鈥檚 Taylor-Parks to the varsity coaching of Steve Manuel and the rest of his team are convinced that they have a real gem in the current Owl.

鈥淲e are extremely happy to be adding Sadie Taylor-Parks to our Heat roster for the 2017-18 season,鈥� Manuel said. 鈥淪adie has been a part of our Heat family for the past three years, as she has been playing in our Junior Heat Club Program since her 16u season,鈥� said Manuel.

鈥淲e have watched Sadie grow from a young player just learning the game of volleyball to one of the best female athletes in 琉璃神社,鈥� continued Manuel.

Taylor-Parks has been a part of the Team BC provincial program since 2015, and has been training with the Youth National Program for the past two summers. This year, she鈥檒l represent Team B.C. at the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg.

鈥淲e have had the opportunity to observe Sadie thrive in a team environment over the past few years,鈥� Manuel said. 鈥淪he has great rapport with her teammates and her coaching staff. Her leadership and confidence allow her to be successful under pressure, on and off the court.

鈥淪adie has an excellent work ethic, she has an infectious energy on the court, she is an extremely selfless student athlete.鈥�

The future first year sciences student has university level volleyball in her blood as her older brother Sam has just finished his second year for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men鈥檚 team.

In her senior year at KSS Taylor-Parks was named a AAAA provincial all star. I

n Grade 11, she was a U17 club provincial all-star while winning a bronze medal with the Junior Heat.