Senior Natalie Kimmel and Junior Lily McWhorter go up for a block on the right side.
Photo by Marysa Barela.
Photo by Marysa Barela.
Senior Natalie Kimmel and Junior Lily McWhorter go up for a block on the right side.
Alief Taylor's Mykah Edison
Dana Strange (VYPE)
“At first, volleyball was just a way to get closer and more involved with my friends,” she said. “But once I started playing and really began to indulge, I couldn’t stop. That just grew into a deep love for the sport, and since then, I’ve stuck with it.”
Her early connection to the unit quickly translated to the court, where she emerged as an outside hitter capable of contributing wherever she was needed.
“I think being able to play in multiple spots has been very helpful to my team,” Edison said. “I joined varsity as a freshman, so that’s where my willingness to rotate based on where the coach needs me started. I’m glad I can do that because it’s such a useful skill to have when you’re constantly in a rotation.”
Dana Strange (VYPE)
The transition wasn’t exactly seamless.
“It was very intimidating at first,” she said with a laugh. “But I proved myself. Nothing came easily, but as soon as they put me on the court, I showed them that I’m here for a reason.”
Now a senior, Edison has grown into more than a versatile asset in the Lady Lions’ rotation. She’s developed a fuller understanding of what it means to help those around her, recognizing that leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about knowing that everyone grows at a different pace.
For an Alief Taylor squad that reached the postseason for a second straight year last fall and now faces a tougher district landscape following UIL realignment, that mindset could prove essential.
“Patience is something I’ve gained, specifically with my teammates,” she said. “Even though I may have joined early, I’ve learned that not everybody is going to get it immediately. So being there to support them as they progress — I think that’s where traits like being empathetic and more observant surface. I feel like that helps me be a better leader and captain.”
Her perspective also shapes the way Edison views her teammates.
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Alief Taylor Lions volleyball team.Dana Strange (VYPE)
“We’re just a big puzzle,” Edison said. “We all have different interests, but we still come together like puzzle pieces. You could say we’re each a perfect fit for one another in this group.”
Those personalities are part of what makes Edison memorable. During the team’s photoshoot, she broke from the usual poses to incorporate some anime-inspired fireball moves — a glimpse of the personality behind the player.
“Yes, I did come up with those unique anime poses,” Edison said with a laugh. “I figured it would be a fun way to stand out in the photos. But as far as favorites go, my go-to is Hunter x Hunter, and I really love JJK (Jujutsu Kaisen).”
What began as a freshman proving she belonged has grown into something bigger. Edison now understands her role isn’t just to be a piece of the puzzle, but to help make the whole picture come together.
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