Courtney Jones is almost finished with one important segment of her life and she's not wasting any time getting on with the next part.
Jones is currently a senior at Hixson High School, but she will graduate next week and heading to Madisonville where she will be playing volleyball at the college level for the Hiwassee Lady Tigers.
Jones has been an integral part of Hixson's success in the past three years as she recorded 549 kills, 642 digs, 85 aces and 72 blocks while earning All-District and All-Region honors this fall in addition to being picked to the Times-Free Press Best of Preps all-star team.
"Courtney was sucn a terrific leader for us this year. She wanted her senior year to be special for her and other seniors and I think they made that happen," said Hixson volleyball coach Janet Tate, who has coached her since ninth grade.
"She has a huge heart. She loves helping out and spending time with the special needs kids at Hixson and is considering special education as her major in college.
"She has overcome some major injuries to play volleyball and waited until after the state tournament last year to have shoulder surgery. She rehabbed right up until the beginning of fall practice, so her desire to play was evident every day in everything she did.
"Courtney has been an outstanding student at Hixson and plans to enroll at Hiwassee in January. She is a very deserving and mature young lady and it's been my pleasure to coach her for the past six years," Tate added.
Courtney's parents are Chris and Brandi Jones and she has one brother named Chase.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)