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Former Stephen F. Austin standout setter J.J. Jones is in her first season as an assistant coach for the Lamar University volleyball program. In her new assistant coaching role at Lamar, Jones serves as the primary recruiting contact for the volleyball program. She will help oversee the Lady Cardinals' strength and conditioning program, assist with on-court training and coaching during practice, and help with in-game coaching responsibilities. She will also assist with day-to-day office duties. "This is an amazing opportunity to work with a great program that has been very successful over the last two years," Jones said. "Being able to be a part of what Justin has built is something I'm looking forward to. We have a great group of girls, and I am looking forward to working at a high level with them." A native of Allen, Texas, Jones comes to Lamar after a dominant career as a four-year starter at setter for Stephen F. Austin. She helped guide the Ladyjacks to four straight Southland Conference titles from 2004-2007 and the 2006 SLC Tournament title. In their NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006, they beat Alabama and advanced to the Round of 32 - becoming the first school since UT Arlington in 1989 to advance past the first round. Jones is reuniting with head coach Justin Gibert, who helped recruit her to SFA while he was an assistant on the Ladyjacks coaching staff. Gibert was an assistant at SFA during her freshman season in Nacogdoches, Texas before taking over at Lamar before the 2005 season. "J.J. was a very exciting player to coach and will be equally exciting to work with," Gibert said. "I am very excited to have her on the staff. She was extremely successful as a player and knows what it takes to perform at the highest level in the Southland Conference, and those experiences will be huge assets as a coach on this team." As a player Jones was one of the most dominant players in the Southland Conference, earning first team all conference honors in her final three seasons. She was selected as the SLC Setter of the Year as a sophomore and junior and was tabbed the SLC Freshman of the Year in 2004. As a junior, she finished the season ranked 24th in the NCAA in assists per game with 13.15, and finished her career as the all-time assists leader at SFA with 5,191. A three-time first-team all-district selection at Allen High School, she was twice named the Best Setter in District 9-5A and garnered district MVP honors. She guided her prep squad to two regional semifinals and to a state runner-up finish in her senior season. She capped her high school career being named the Dallas Morning News All-Area Player of the Year. |
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