Entering her senior season on the volleyball team at Georgia Southern University, Savannah Christian graduate Landon Jones has had no regrets about her choice for where to play in college. The standout has improved with each year in the Sun Belt Conference.
Last year as a junior, Jones ranked fifth in the Sun Belt Conference in digs (4.46/set) for the Eagles (7-20 in 2019). The libero/defensive specialist finished 2019 with 450 digs, 55 assists and 20 aces in 101 sets.
While at Savannah Christian playing under head coach (and her mother) Julie Jones, Landon was a three-time first team all-state selection and the all-area Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons (2014, 2015, 2016).
Although she’s hoping the Eagles have more success on the court this season 
under second-year head coach Chad Willis, Jones tells her time in Statesboro has already been exactly what she’d hoped for when she chose GS out of SCPS over the likes of Mercer, Georgia State and others.
“I like the small-town feel of (Statesboro) but also the large-scale nature of the athletics at Georgia Southern,” Jones said during a phone conversation with PSR in late May. “I always loved how close to home it was too. That’s been something that has been really nice for me.”
“Sometimes, when it gets pretty rough in-season, it’s good to be able to just get home and relax for a couple hours.”
The decision to play at GS was one that came rather easily for Jones.
“So, I did have a couple other offers, but I didn’t even visit anywhere else (besides GS),” Jones said.
“I kind of knew it was going to be Southern from the get-go.”
When asked if she would tell her younger self anything that she has learned while playing volleyball in college, Jones said her most important times in Statesboro have come off the court, and around teammates. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t worked to be as good as possible while on the court in Hanner Fieldhouse.
“Something that I’ve always sort of prided myself on is getting those extra reps,” Jones says. “Getting to practice early, putting in extra work — that’s something I’ve tried to keep going at every level I play at.
“But then outside of volleyball, I would say just really cherish the time you have. Don’t take those moments with teammates and friends for granted. That, to me, is the biggest thing I’ve learned, especially as I get closer to finishing my career here.”
Follow Travis Jaudon on Twitter @JaudonSports and contact him at TravisLJaudon@gmail.com.
Photo Credit for both action shots - [AJ HENDERSON/GS ATHLETICS]
Photo Credit for head shot - Georgia Southern Athletics
