Ready for the next step: an interactive timeline

Senior Ali Tauchen committed to playing volleyball for Missouri Western State University–after tearing her ACL and lateral meniscus less than a year ago.

When she was 11 years old, senior Ali Tauchen started playing volleyball. When she was 14, she made the varsity high school team at West. When she was 15, she knew playing in college was a goal of hers. And when she was 18, she played her final game for West High. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Tauchen and eight other senior varsity volleyball players played their last game for West as they lost to Ankeny Centennial 3-1 in the state quarterfinals. However, seven of them, including Tauchen, will continue their volleyball careers, and accomplish their goals, by playing in college. On Wednesday, Nov. 9, Tauchen and the other players signed to their colleges, but Tauchen’s journey was different than those of her teammates.