Although Efland, North Carolina, is her hometown, sophomore Jamie Lea may have found a second home here at the University of Tennessee.
“I love the fans and the school spirit,” the 6-foot-2-inch outside hitter said. “It’s very welcoming, and it makes you feel like you’re right at home.”
Lea started playing volleyball at the young age of 9. She would watch her older sister play in high school, and she always wished to be like her.
After narrowing down her choices to UT, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, Lea chose UT as the school she wished to represent for the next four years of her life.
“I love the environment,” Lea said. “The team really brought me in, and it was just like a big family to me. The coaching staff are amazing people, and my major is here. It’s really sweet.”
While starting and appearing in 26 games last year, the then-freshman Lea averaged 2.99 kills per set, which led the Lady Vols in 2013.
Lea’s play this year has impressed many, including head coach Rob Patrick, who has had nothing but positive things to say about her in two years here.
“She’s an impact player for us,” Patrick said. “She plays all six rotations for us. She’s been getting better and better at practice and even from year to year. The biggest thing is she has to get us some kills. That’s something we rely on her for, something that she has worked hard on … I’m excited about her development.”
Lea’s kills through the first fourteen games of the season have slipped a little since last year, as she is currently averaging only 2.84 kills per game this season. Her dig total, however, has skyrocketed from 0.98 to 2.20, while her error total has dropped, showing that Lea worked on making herself a well-rounded player in the offseason.
“Her passing has really taken a huge step up in consistency,” Patrick added. “That’s something we’re really happy to see, and it really helps our team.”
Lea said she hopes to be more of a leader on and off the court for her team, and she has started on the court by leading the Lady Vols in a few major categories: kills, kills per set, attacks, and attacks per set. Lea is also fifth on the team in blocks with 25 and fourth on the team in digs with 96.
After college, Lea looks to play professionally overseas, but if that doesn’t work out, she will get her master’s degree in criminal justice here at the university.
Lea will be in action, along with the rest of the Lady Vols volleyball team, this Friday at home against Texas A&M. The match will begin at 7 p.m.
