How Savannah Christian volleyball team helped Coach Julie Jones reach a career milestone
Julie Jones was her usual calm, collected self sitting courtside Wednesday as she watched her Savannah Christian volleyball team compete on the Raiders' home court.
She didn't have to stress much as the Raiders took care of business by dispatching of Upson-Lee 25-6, 25-10, 25-5 in a Class 3A first round playoff matchup that seemed like any other postseason win in her 26 seasons coaching at her alma mater.
But this win had a bit of extra significance as it was the 800th victory of her career.
She's the fifth coach in Georgia high school history to reach the 800-win milestone, and ranks third among active coaches in the state. Jones coached both of her daughters, Landon and Logan Jones, as they earned scholarships to play at Georgia Southern.
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After the blowout victory, SCPS Athletic Director Greg Phillips presented Jones with an encased ball signed by the team to commemorate the milestone, and said he hoped be around when Jones, 48, gets to 900 wins.
"I knew early on that I was called to coach," Jones said. "It's all I ever wanted to do. The girls make it easy to keep coming back for more. Hopefully, I can make an impact in their lives — that's what it's all about. The 800 is just a number, the coaches and players that I get to work with each day is what makes it so special and worthwhile."
Savannah Christian had no problem dealing with an overmatched Upson-Lee squad as the Raiders, the Region 3-3A regular season and tournament champions, improved to 31-8-3 on the year.
Now SCPS, a No. 1 seed in the state tourney, is set to host Richmond Academy (29-6), which swept Carver Wednesday, in a Sweet 16 matchup set for Saturday morning, Oct. 21st, at a time to be announced.
The Raiders got contributions from across the roster as Mary Brit Tallevast and Katie Cowart formed a solid setting duo, distributing to Maggie Kyriakides, Mollie Poppell, Mary Elizabeth Edenfield, Berkley Allen, Ella Brooking and Katherine Ringham, a lefty who knocked home the kill to end the match. Libero Remy Thompson anchored the back row for the Raiders, who are hoping that junior standout Reese Theriot can return from an ankle injury to play in the next round.
Tallevast is a senior, who is optimistic about the postseason.
"We've got a lot of talent and we're starting to click," Tallevast said. "I think we have so much potential and can make a huge run. This definitely means a lot to be on the team for Coach Jones' 800th win. She has made a big impact on me as a player, and in my life. She knows when to have fun, and when to be serious and get tough on us. It's an honor to play on her team."
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Christian volleyball coach Julie Jones earns 800th career win
