BY CHARLES CHANEY

El Dorado announced Taylyn Barkley as the next leader of the El Dorado High volleyball program.

Barkley takes over a program that barely missed out on the sub-state playoffs last year, going 4-28.

She is no stranger to the El Dorado athletics as the currently serves as an assistant on the softball squad.

“I am passionate about rebuilding women’s programs,” Barkley said in a press release. “It’s an honor to take on this role and be part of a community that supports its athletes.”

After graduating from Eureka High in 2011, Barkley played at Fort Scott CC for two years, setting multiple records for the Greyhounds. She set records in single and career assists records and was a first team all-KJCCC and first team all-district honors. She would later transfer to the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. and at Pitt State to finish her playing career.

Her first coaching job was at Topeka West High where she was the head volleyball coach for a season where she helped the Chargers compete in the Centennial League. She would then return to Fort Scott CC as an assistant coach for multiple seasons. She was inducted into the Fort Scott Hall of Fame in 2020.

Barkley graduated from Pitt State with a BS in Education.