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Alief Taylor's Dillian Whiteside
HOLDING THE LINE: Alief Taylor's Whiteside aims to secure the Lions' pursuit of a turnaround
Yet, last season tested the Lions in ways they hadn’t anticipated. Their debut year in the competitive District 20-6A brought fresh challenges and unfamiliar opponents like Fulshear, Foster, and George Ranch—programs that ultimately pushed Taylor to a last-place finish.
But to Whiteside, these setbacks aren’t going to be seen as roadblocks; they’ll be used as reference points.
2025-25 Alief Taylor FootballJamey Wright (VYPE)
“We’re going to need more team chemistry,” he said. “There were a lot of close games that came down to the wire and just didn’t go our way. The talent is there for us, but we can’t get to the point where one mistake could ruin our chances.”
That kind of insight doesn’t come overnight. For Whiteside, perspective has been his biggest area of growth.
“As a freshman, you assume you have all the time in the world,” he reflected. “But it passes by so much quicker than you’d think. I’ve become more mature, more vocal as a leader, and just have a stronger mindset on who I want to be.”
That mindset has already begun to open doors. Whiteside holds an offer from Lamar University, with others likely on the way if he continues his upward trajectory. His steady development, he says, stems from relentless dedication and self-awareness.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“Nothing comes for free,” he said. “It’s taken plenty of training and dedication to get me where I want to be. Size has never been an issue for me, so the mindset has always been to keep my head down and stick to the craft.”
Whiteside models his game after NFL greats like Joe Thomas and Zack Martin. If he had his pick of NIL sponsorships, he says it’d be Nike—a fitting choice, given their partnership with Alief Taylor. Off the field, he carries an artistic streak: he plays trumpet, a passion few might expect from someone who spends his Fridays moving defenders against their will.
As Taylor aims to flip the script this season, Whiteside’s presence gives the Lions more than just a fighting chance. He gives them an anchor.
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Alief Taylor's Omotola Oguns
"LOWERCASE" LEADERSHIP: Oguns emerges as a defining presence in Alief Taylor Volleyball // Powered by LOVB
This fall, Oguns is among the handful of returners expected to help push the program forward — not just with her play, but with the experience and perspective she’s accumulated in the short span of her career.
“In order for us to see that kind of success again, it’s going to require a similar level of connection that we still have, if not more so,” she said. “We’re already really close with each other, so now it’s just about how we work out the kinks, stay in tune, and build on that connection.”
2025-26 Alief Taylor VolleyballJamey Wright (VYPE)
That team-first mindset has been a major part of Oguns’ development. She cites confidence as the area where she’s grown most — not just in her individual ability, but in how she understands the dynamics of the game and what drives team performance.
“Coming into the game, I didn’t always have that level of assurance in my ability that I do now,” Oguns said. “The reason I’ve been able to address that, I think, relates to the chemistry with my teammates and figuring out what makes each of us click.”
Oguns’ foundation extends beyond the court. Her older sister, Oluwabusola Oguns — a former Taylor volleyball player now attending Texas State University — remains a steady influence in her life.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“After God, I’d definitely say that my sister has been one of the more impactful figures for me,” she said. “Even after the two years we spent here together, she’s still giving me advice when it comes to classes and how to balance volleyball with my education and social life. Her experience has become mine, in a way, and that’s not something I take lightly.”
It’s also how she earned her nickname, “Lowercase.” During their overlapping time at Taylor, the pair was known as “Mini-O” and “Big O,” a reference to the first letter of their names. Eventually, the shorthand evolved into something uniquely hers — a symbol of both connection and individuality.
When she’s not on the court, Oguns competes in the shot put during track season and stays sharp by bingeing her favorite shows — from Avatar: The Last Airbender to Attack on Titan.
Heading into her final season, Oguns brings the kind of perspective that can’t be coached — earned over time, shaped by family, and sharpened by the game itself.
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