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Abby Jones to Play for Vanderbilt 3/22/2006 LOVELAND, OHIO – “What I find unbelievable is despite how great of a player she is, she is an even better young lady. My wife and I are pregnant with our fourth child and our child is due in April. I have said many times, I would be thrilled if we have a girl and she grew up to be half the young lady that Abby Jones has become,” said Todd Kelly, Women’s Varsity Soccer Coach at Loveland High School. Jones, a senior at Loveland High School recently signed a Letter of Intent to play soccer at Vanderbilt University in Nashville Tennessee. ” I can’t tell you how proud of her I am not only for the great soccer player she has become, but also for the outstanding young lady she has grown to be. Loveland Soccer will miss her terribly next fall. It will be next to impossible to replace not only her talent, but her intangibles as well.” Kelly said that Jones is extremely fast and explosive, has incredible closing speed, and is a tenacious defender. “She has great ball skills, knowledge of the game, and has the ability to breakdown an opponent one-on-one.” The coach said that she is one of the best defensive players in Cincinnati, but is also a very strong attacking player that makes everyone around her a more dangerous player. “She is an outstanding all-around player and talent.” “Abby is one of the most talented players I have coached in my 11 years at Loveland. Not only is she extremely coachable, but she works exceptionally hard every day to make herself better. Her hard work and work ethic is infectious and makes her teammates naturally work hard as well. What I find unbelievable is despite how great of a player she is, she is an even better young lady.” “We are thrilled to welcome Abby to our Vanderbilt soccer family,” said Ronnie Coveleskie Hill, Vanderbilt Head Women’s Soccer Coach. “In my opinion, she represents the perfect Vanderbilt women’s soccer player?a talented soccer player as well as a dedicated student.” Hill added that Jones is a tremendous athlete with an enormous desire to win. She said that Loveland High School is a very competitive soccer program, so Jones is accustomed to winning. “In addition, she understands the importance and value of hard work?which is what we believe the foundation of Vanderbilt Soccer.” Hill said she fully expected Jones to play an important role in their program for four years. “And in return she will help lead us to many future championships.” The Commodores are the fifth most improved team in Division 1 play. The team improved their record in 2004 from 7-7-5 to 17-3-3 in 2006. Soccer Buzz Magazine named Commodore Coach Ronnie Hill as its Central Region Coach of the Year for 2005. Hill had also been voted the SEC’s Co-Coach of the Year. Vanderbilt was 13-3-3 in 2005 and made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998. Jones said she never expected to be able to play soccer at “such a great University.” She said she looks forward to the experience that is ahead of her. “The girls on the team are great and the coaches are fantastic. I know I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me and I’m anxious to get started.” Father, Jeff Jones said, “Her mother and I are proud of all that Abby has accomplished and we look forward to the opportunities that await her at Vanderbilt University.” |
