University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Land 2024 AAC Freshman of the Year Sydney Jones
May 20, 2025 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the second week in a row, Tennessee volleyball landed another big-time offensive player through the transfer portal, as 2024 American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Sydney Jones announced her decision to join the Lady Vols.
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"We believe Sydney has a world of potential," head coach Eve Rackham Watt said. "She has great physicality at the net, can play on either pin and has been a primary passer. Our staff is looking forward to helping Sydney develop on Rocky Top, as she builds off a great freshman season."
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An outside/opposite hitter for Temple in 2024, Jones compiled 369.5 points, 324 kills, 209 digs, 35 aces and 17 blocks during her first season of collegiate volleyball. She ranked third overall in the AAC for aces (0.39) and kills (3.60) per set and was fourth in points per set at 4.11.
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The All-AAC Second Team selection recorded double-digit kills in 19 matches and reached 20 or more kills on three occasions, including a career-high 25 against Binghamton on Oct. 9. Her 35 aces marked the second most by an Owl during the 25-point rally scoring era, and she recorded a season-best five aces against Charlotte on Nov. 17.
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Defensively, Jones finished third on the team with her 209 digs, helping solidify Temple's back row defense. She netted 10 or more digs in 10Â matches, with nine of those going for double-doubles as well.
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Jones attended Haverford Senior High School in her hometown of Havertown, Pennsylvania. She eclipsed more than 1,000 kills during her prep career and played club ball with Synergy VB. She was also a track & field star at her high school, competing in the high jump.
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Tennessee added three hitters in this portal class, as Jones joins All-Big 12 honoree Brynn Williams and All-CUSA selection Starr Williams. The Lady Vols bolstered the defense with libero Gülce Güçtekin and middle blocker Zoë Humphrey.
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"We believe Sydney has a world of potential," head coach Eve Rackham Watt said. "She has great physicality at the net, can play on either pin and has been a primary passer. Our staff is looking forward to helping Sydney develop on Rocky Top, as she builds off a great freshman season."
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An outside/opposite hitter for Temple in 2024, Jones compiled 369.5 points, 324 kills, 209 digs, 35 aces and 17 blocks during her first season of collegiate volleyball. She ranked third overall in the AAC for aces (0.39) and kills (3.60) per set and was fourth in points per set at 4.11.
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The All-AAC Second Team selection recorded double-digit kills in 19 matches and reached 20 or more kills on three occasions, including a career-high 25 against Binghamton on Oct. 9. Her 35 aces marked the second most by an Owl during the 25-point rally scoring era, and she recorded a season-best five aces against Charlotte on Nov. 17.
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Defensively, Jones finished third on the team with her 209 digs, helping solidify Temple's back row defense. She netted 10 or more digs in 10Â matches, with nine of those going for double-doubles as well.
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Jones attended Haverford Senior High School in her hometown of Havertown, Pennsylvania. She eclipsed more than 1,000 kills during her prep career and played club ball with Synergy VB. She was also a track & field star at her high school, competing in the high jump.
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Tennessee added three hitters in this portal class, as Jones joins All-Big 12 honoree Brynn Williams and All-CUSA selection Starr Williams. The Lady Vols bolstered the defense with libero Gülce Güçtekin and middle blocker Zoë Humphrey.
Players Mentioned
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