Campbell Coach Renee Wormsley is flanked by two of the all time great volleyball players to ever suit up for the Lady Cougars; Morae Owens, left, has signed to play volleyball at Tennessee Wesleyan University as a Bulldog and Savannah Jones, right, signed with Maryville College to play for the Scots.

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Wednesday morning was life changing for two Campbell County Lady Cougars as they signed to play college volleyball at two local schools. Morae Owens has signed to play volleyball at Tennessee Wesleyan University as a Bulldog and Savannah Jones signed with Maryville College to play for the Scots!

At 10:30 am on Wednesday, surrounded by family, teammates and athletic department staff, Owens and Jones signed paperwork to play for their chosen schools. 

Owens has been playing volleyball since the sixth grade at Jacksboro Middle School. 

She played volleyball, basketball and ran track.

“I like volleyball because there’s always something new to learn; I learned something every game and every practice. I like how much of a team sport it is; if you don’t get along with your team, you’re not going to do good,” Owens said.

Morae Owens signs to play volleyball for Tennessee Wesleyan University. She is pictured with her parents Alicia and Michael Owens and TWU Volleyball Coach Kylie Whaley, standing.

She said she chose Tennessee Wesleyan University because it wasn’t too far from home and she liked the “small campus and was comfortable with Coach Kylie Whaley.”

“I’m excited to continue playing volleyball and continue my education,” Owens said. She plans to focus her studies on “either elementary education or something to do with physical therapy.”

Owens said she wanted to thank her parents Alicia and Michael Owens, as well as her grandparents, her coaches, trainers and teammates.

“I also want to thank God for this opportunity,” Owens said. 

Savannah Jones has been playing volleyball for the past five and a half years. She started in seventh grade at LaFollette Middle School after Coach Greg Vincent encouraged her to play because she was “tall and athletic.”

“It all came easily to me, and I love playing with my friends; from celebrating after every point and each win,” Jones said.

Savannah Jones signed to play volleyball for Maryville College. She is pictured with her parents Deborah King and Eric Jones.

Jones said she was “excited to be playing for Maryville.”

According to Jones, she plans to study psychology at Maryville College and is “leaning towards becoming a clinical psychologist.”

Jones chose Maryville College for the “family feel” of the school.

“I was looking for a team that had that family feel, but would also be competitive,” Jones said.

She said she wanted to thank her mom Deborah King, and her dad Eric Jones, as well as her stepfather Roger King.

Savannah Jones also extended a thank you to coaches Greg Vincent, coaches Travis and Renee Wormsley, as well as her teammates.

“I’m most excited to continue playing volleyball and excited to join a school with an incredible athletics program,” Jones said. 

CCHS Volleyball Coach Renee Wormsley said she remembered when both of the girls came to the high school as freshman and how much they had grown.

“There’s not much I can say that hasn’t been shown in their stats and records; they have definitely set the bar high for the next Lady Cougars Volleyball players,” Wormsley said.

She described both young women as “humble” despite how much they have improved and set records. 

“Even with everything they have done, they are still very coachable; if you stay that way, you can continue to grow. And don’t forget,  once a Lady Cougar, always a Lady Cougar!” Wormsley said.

Campbell County High School Athletic Director Matt Price congratulated the students on their accomplishments at CCHS and wished them luck with their new opportunities to come.

He also thanked their families for being “pillars of the community” and a “light” in the school’s volleyball program over the last four years. 

“We’re very excited for these students and know they will represent our school in a great way,” Price said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/23/2023-6AM)