Distinguished Ventura College alumna Monique Taylor will be honored Friday night by the California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association with induction into the organizations' Hall of Fame. Taylor is a 2002 graduate of Ventura College and a 2010 inductee into the Ventura College Pirate Athletic Hall of Fame.
Taylor is one of the most decorated players in the history of California Community College women's basketball. She finished her two-year playing career with two state championships, a combined 67-6 overall record, and was undefeated in the Western State Conference at 24-0 with two conference titles. She was twice selected first-team All-State, earning the State co-Player of the Year award as a sophomore. Monique was also the MVP of the State Tournament in 2002. She was named first-team All-WSC twice, earning conference MVP honors her second season at VC.
After receiving her Associate's degree in 2002, Monique transferred on a Division I scholarship to the University of New Orleans, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in 2004.
Monique joined the VC family in the fall of 2000. The program was fresh off of a 38-0 state title campaign the year before, but the team essentially had no returners from that group. With a fresh start, and astronomical expectations, Monique and her teammates began an extraordinary two-year journey.
Known in high school as a scorer, Monique was asked by head coach Ned Mircetic to change her style to compliment the team's strengths, and she became a defensive specialist. She completed her two years as VC's No. 3 all-time steals leader, averaging 3.7 steals per game for two seasons. She remained an offensive threat, as well, completing her career No. 4 on VC's all-time scoring list with 1,017, making 53 percent of her field goals in 72 games, No. 5 all-time at Ventura. She also was No. 10 in the Pirates' career rebounding records with 408 boards.
During Monique's freshman year in 2000-01, she earned first team All-Western State Conference, first team All-State, and VC Defensive Player of the Year. The team went 12-0 in conference play, and capped off the year with a second straight California state championship with a record of 33-4.
Monique's sophomore year proved to be just as successful as her freshman year. The Pirates won the WSC with a 12-0 record and Monique was selected MVP of the conference. The team won their third consecutive state championship with a record of 34-2. Monique was selected MVP of the State Tournament, first team All-State, and California co-Player of the Year.
As a junior at New Orleans, Monique was voted Newcomer of the Year in the Sunbelt Conference. She was a first team all-conference selection. During her senior year, Monique again was selected first team all-conference.
Monique now lives in Ontario where she is a shipping manager for HD Supply Co. in the City of Industry. In her years since graduation, she has spent time working with kids at the YMCA in Camarillo, and later worked with disadvantaged children in after school activity and educational programs in Rancho Cucamonga.