JONESBORO, Ark. (9/2/21) – Arkansas State bowling head coach Justin Kostick announced today that Taylor Bailey will join the Red Wolves program for the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach. Bailey comes to A-State from McKendree, where she was a three-time All-American and member of the 2017 national championship team.
 
"I believe Taylor will be a great asset to the team," Kostick said. "Taylor is going to bring a different perspective that can help us further the program in many different ways. Her recent success as a collegiate bowler will help our program as she begins a coaching career."
 
A four-year starter for McKendree, Bailey helped anchor the team to the No. 1 ranking by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll during the 2019-20 season that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bearcats won three in-season tournaments and posted a 93-18 record in the shortened season. She ranked second nationally in traditional average (212.2) and was also among the nation's leaders in Baker average (20.94), strike percentage (53.8 percent) and makeable spare percentage (89.4 percent). She earned NTCA First Team All-America honors and National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association (NCBCA) Honorable Mention recognition following the 2019-20 season.
 
"I'm so excited and grateful to be joining the Red Wolves," Bailey said. "I hope that we can grow together and with my knowledge and experience, I can assist the program in winning their first national title. I can't express how thankful I am for Coach Kostick and the girls for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to work with such a renowned program."
 
Over her McKendree career, Bailey was a three-time NTCA All-American, earning third team honors as a sophomore and second team honors as a junior. She played a pivotal role as a freshman, leading McKendree to the 2017 NCAA Championship. She earned All-Tournament recognition following a sweep of Nebraska in the title match. She was a Junior Team USA member and won gold medal at the 2018 International Bowling Federation World Youth Championships.
 
Bailey won her first professional title in early August at the 2021 PWBA Dallas/Fort Worth Regional. She defeated Maria Bulanova 246-224 to win the title. The event was the third of four events at the PWBA Summer Classic Series.