God, family, country.

It is the tripod upon which Nikki Taylor stands. It is the base and basis for who she is, where she has come from and where she is headed.

And, if any self-doubt dared to creep in, Taylor only has to touch the tape on her upper right arm, right above one of the two elbows she has dislocated during her Hawaii volleyball career. Most don’t know it’s there, the tattoo that Taylor has, as do her father, Graham, and brother, Josh.

“Creideamh.”

It’s Gaelic for faith, belief, creed. (Taylor’s paternal grandmother was from Scotland). The anchor that is etched under the word is more than symbolic; it truly grounds Taylor in her personal and athletic life.

The Rainbow Wahine senior opposite is the rarest of the rare in collegiate volleyball, earning All-America honors both indoor and on the sand. The Kaiser High graduate helped Hawaii reach the elite eight indoors last December and has played a large role in establishing the SandBows as a premier beach program nationally.

The accolades have piled up, as have the injuries, so many of the latter that, she says, she has spent more time rehabbing than on the practice court. Shoulder, elbows, knee, concussion … living with pain has been part of life and part of who she is.

“As an athlete, it’s what you deal with, every athlete does,” Taylor said. “It’s very difficult, not just the hours spent rehabbing, but it’s having the mind-set of having to constantly live with the pain, live through the waking up at 2 a.m. because you rolled over and you felt it.

“You look for the positive. When I dislocated my elbow this year, it was a similar one to my other elbow my sophomore year. I knew what was required of me physically to rehabilitate.”

Despite missing 11 matches in her career, Taylor has continued to rise up Hawaii’s career lists. Heading into this week’s NCAA tournament, she is 11th all-time in kills (1,354), 31 shy of tying Deitre Collins (1980-83).

The reigning Big West player of the year is No. 8 in service aces (116), four away from tying Cheri Boyer (1988-91) and Amber Kaufman (2006-09). Taylor, named the national player of the week on Tuesday, leads the conference in kills per set (4.59), aces (51), aces per set (.65) and points per set (5.86).“It’s been amazing to me that she’s been able to do it with all the issues she’s had,” Wahine coach Dave Shoji said. “Her shoulder probably needs surgery, the elbows, the creaky knees … that she can play at this level has been amazing. It’s all coming together for her now and I’m happy for her.”

Added Jeff Hall, associate indoor and head beach coach: “She’s one of those special athletes that all of a sudden you’re a good coach because of a great talent, and she is a great talent. She deserves all the accolades she gets.

“It’s pretty impressive how she’s overcome all these injuries. It shows remarkable character. She’s still at the beginning of her volleyball career. She’ll play professionally, hopefully get a chance to be with the Olympic team. And, as much as we would love to have her back in spring (to play beach), it’s totally her decision. She has to do what is best for her.”

Taylor is undecided about playing this spring, saying she’ll wait until after the indoor season is done and “listen to what my body tells me,” she said.

Spring will include graduating with a degree in communicology — Taylor would like to work in the pharmaceutical business — and pursuing professional indoor playing options. Brother Josh, a former All-American at Pepperdine, is playing in Qatar.

And then there’s the Olympic dream.

“I’ve wanted to play in the Olympics since I was in sixth grade,” said Taylor, who spent this past summer playing for the U.S. at the Pan American Cup. “Last summer was a steppingstone to that goal.

“Playing for the U.S. was an amazing experience. God, family, country … I learned to really respect everything about my country, learned about the support of my family and the faithfulness of my God through that experience.”

Taylor has carried her family experience over to the court. Just as she has relished the role of older sister to Kaili, a sophomore at Kaiser, she has embraced the role of senior co-captain.

“I think that’s where I’ve grown the most,” Taylor said. “I feel I’ve improved my leadership presence on the court. I try to wrap my wings around everyone when we’re out there, bring everyone in. I do have a big wingspan and that helps.

“My brother is my best friend, but my little sister is the pride and joy in my world. There is no greater job than that of an older sister and I think it’s morphed into how I am with our team.”

No. 13 Hawaii (22-5) will learn its postseason fate today during the NCAA Selection Show. Taylor said she is ready for wherever the Wahine get sent.

“It’s nerve-wracking, but mostly I’m excited,” she said. “I think elite eight is realistic. Final four? Given our talent, I believe so.”

In a word: “Creideamh.”