Owens’ college choice is on Point
Her high school volleyball career will have at least one more, and perhaps as many as four more matches before she hangs up her Ridgeland jersey for good.
But Lady Panther Te’a Owens already knows what her next uniform is going to look like.
Owens is planning on suiting up for Point University in West Point, Ga. beginning next season after verbally committing to the Skyhawks this past Wednesday.
The 5-foot-6 senior said she had other offers, but wasn’t going to pursue them any further.
“Now that I’m committed, I don’t plan to look at any more schools,” she said. “I decided to go with Point because it’s in-state and I really loved it there.
“The first time I went, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But I went back again with my mom last month and I got to talk to the players. I liked them all and that kind of flipped me that way. I really like their team chemistry and the way they play and that made it even better.”
To say the Skyhawks are getting a steal is an understatement.
Owens is currently ranked fourth in the nation by MaxPreps. com with a .586 hitting percentage and second in the state with 539 kills. In addition, she also has 452 digs, 88 aces and 16 blocks.
She was named the Area 6-4A Player of the Year as she helped lead the Lady Panthers to an area championship, her second as a member of the squad.
“They’re getting a great athlete,” Ridgeland head coach April Lemonds said. “She’s just an all-out hustler. Wherever the ball is on the court, she’s going to be there. She’s always jumping up to make a block and she drives the ball hard when she hits it, but she’s a very smart player too.”
Point plays in the Appalachian Athletic Conference of the NAIA and they are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
The Skyhawks also have a new assistant varsity coach this season is ex-LaFayette Lady Rambler Jessica Langley, who played collegiately for Point. She also serves as head coach for the Skyhawks’ junior varsity squad.