

The Raiola name is making headlines well beyond the football field. As brothers Dylan and Dayton pursue gridiron glory for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, their sister Taylor Raiola is carving out her own path in the world of collegiate athletics.
Mississippi State volleyball announced this week that Taylor will join the program as Director of Volleyball Operations, marking a significant career move for the former TCU standout.
“Taylor is an exciting addition to our program,” Mississippi State head coach Julie Darty Dennis said in a statement. “She has high level experience as a player, organizational experience in volleyball along with football, and has infectious energy that is going to help us continue to elevate our operations.
“I’m so excited to have her join our family and bring new ideas to the staff.”
Taylor brings a strong volleyball background to Starkville. During her four years at TCU, she played in 80 matches and earned 41 starts, totaling 373 kills and 410 digs.
As a freshman, she made an immediate impact, becoming the first player in nearly two decades to record a double-double in her debut.
She also helped lead her high school team to three consecutive Arizona state championships between 2017 and 2019.
Off the court, Taylor earned her bachelor’s degree in youth advocacy and education studies in 2024, and recently served as a graduate assistant with Nebraska’s football recruiting team.
A Hawaiian homecoming before a new beginning
Before diving into her new role at Mississippi State, Taylor took time to reconnect with her roots.
In early June, she shared a series of vacation photos from Hawaii, where her father, Dominic Raiola, was born and raised.
Dominic, a former All-American at Nebraska and longtime NFL lineman, played high school football at Saint Louis School in Honolulu.
Taylor‘s Instagram post on June 1 featured picturesque beach views and a heartfelt caption: “a hui hou,” meaning “until we meet again.”
Her snapshots captured moments of serenity by the water, sushi outings in Honolulu’s trendy Kaka’ako district, and playful selfies. One fan in particular stood out-her brother Dylan, who commented, “Sis on the island.”
The vacation was a well-earned pause. In between academic milestones and athletic responsibilities, Taylor has balanced family ties and personal ambition.
Her time in Hawaii wasn’t just a getaway-it was a return to heritage and a symbolic bridge between past and future.
With the 2025 college football season fast approaching, Taylor‘s brothers are expected to be central figures in Nebraska’s efforts under head coach Matt Rhule.
Dylan, after a shaky start in 2024, has been focused on physical preparation, while Dayton, a 2026 commit, is already helping drive the Huskers’ recruiting momentum.
But in Starkville, Taylor Raiola is now leading a new playbook-one that puts her in charge of shaping a rising volleyball program’s future.
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