Butler University Athletics

Prior to Butler: Taylor Wathen, a 6-3 outside hitter/middle blocker from Louisville, Ky., attended Whitefield Academy. A three-time KHSAA Athletic Excellence Award winner and two-time varsity Offensive MVP, Wathen has earned multiple All-District and All-Tournament honors. She was nominated for Athlete of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Courier Journal High School Volleyball Player of the Year (Louisville, 2025) and earned National Volleyball Player of the Week recognition. Wathen is ranked the No. 4 overall high school volleyball player in Kentucky.
 
Coach Kyle Shondell on Wathen Signing- "Taylor is the longest outside hitter we've ever recruited at Butler, but beyond her size and contact point is a heavy arm and a fierce competitor. She will work hard to develop into a complete player once she steps foot in Hinkle, and it's that work ethic mixed with her proven abilities to score and be a defensive presence that should have our fans excited."
 
Why Wathen Chose Butler- "I choose Butler University because of the immediate sense of community by how the coaches and team welcomed me and how they all interacted with each other. Butler is also a great fit for everything I'm looking for academically, starting with the top tier business program and the beautiful campus. Overall Butler is the perfect fit for me where I can grow on and off the court and I cannot wait to start there in the fall and be a DAWG!"