University Park, Pa. — Penn State Lady Lion head coach Coquese Washington announced the addition of 5-7 transfer Dara Taylor (Wilmington, Del./Caravel Academy) to the Lady Lion roster. Taylor, who will sit out the 2011-12 season due to NCAA transfer rules, will have two years of eligibility remaining when she begins competing for the Lady Lions in 2012-13.
"We are so thrilled to have Dara join our program," Washington said. "Dara is a very talented player whose speed, offensive creativity and defensive prowess will add much to our team on the court. She has a tremendous work ethic and will be a fantastic teammate. Lady Lion fans will really enjoy watching her play!"
Taylor comes to Penn State after playing the first two years of her collegiate career at Maryland. As a freshman, she accounted for 5.5 points and 5.0 assists per game. Taylor, who broke the Maryland freshman season record for assists with 171 helpers, finished third in the ACC in assists and sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2) as a rookie. She started 27 of 34 games in her rookie season and accounted for six or more assists in 15 of those starts. Last season, Taylor appeared in 32 games and tallied 1.7 points and 2.2 assists per game.
"I was attracted to Penn State because it is a great school with great academics," Taylor said. "The coaches and players made me feel welcome and comfortable when I visited. The playing style and goals that this Penn State team has fit me really well and I’m excited to be a part of this team."
A Wilmington, Del. native, Taylor was the 52nd-ranked player by ESPN/HoopGurlz out of Caravel Academy where she was the 2009 Delaware Gatorade Player of the Year. The point guard was also selected as a McDonald’s All-American as a senior in high school, giving the Lady Lions a pair of McDonald’s All-Americans on the roster (Maggie Lucas). Taylor was an All-State selection in her junior (second team) and senior (first team) seasons as she led the Buccaneers to the Delaware State Quarterfinals. She played her AAU basketball with the Philly Belles, alongside current Lady Lions Maggie Lucas and Ariel Edwards.