Courtney Swafford
Ooltewah volleyball standout Courtney Swafford’s courtship of college opportunities was methodical and she stuck to a plan.
As a result, Swafford, who was a libero this past season, has decided to attend NCAA Division III LaGrange (Ga.) College and play volleyball for the Lady Panthers of the USA South Conference.
“My decision did come late because I wanted to take enough time to make the right decision and I didn’t want to rush that,” Swafford said.
Swafford also considered four other schools: Middle Tennessee State University, Cumberland (Tenn.) University, Tennessee State University and Howard University in Washington, D.C.
“I’m very excited that it has worked out,” Swafford said. “I’m glad I chose the smaller school because of the chance to get more playing time and a good education. The bigger schools wanted me to come as a preferred walk-on.
“The coach (Madison Machurek) is new and they want to get better and everyone won me over by making me feel at home. The town reminds me of Cleveland (Tennessee) and I still have family living in Cleveland. I loved the town down there.”
Swafford visited the LaGrange campus in March and watched the Lady Panthers practice.
As a junior in the Lady Owls’ rotation, Swafford recorded 199 kills, 520 digs and 39 aces in 159 games. She handled libero duties her season and had 534 digs and 24 aces in 94 games.
“Courtney is an outstanding student-athlete,” Ooltewah coach Elaine Peigen said, “and she will bring speed and knowledge of the game to LaGrange’s volleyball program. She has an ability to get to a ball the average player can’t reach. She was all-district and all-region this past year. Courtney will fit in well at LaGrange.”
Swafford plans a double major in business marketing and political science.
“I planned political science before all the stuff that’s happening in our politics now,” she said. “I love politics. It entertains me and I want to see how it works out. Hopefully, I can make things better.”
LaGrange went 22-14 last season and reached the USA South tournament semifinals.
Machurek was named the new Lady Panthers’ on Jan. 31, coming to LaGrange from Division III Marietta (Ohio) College. She was a four-year starter at College of Idaho, a team that was 100-29 during her playing career. Her Eagle (Colorado) High School team was undefeated and won the first of four straight state titles in 2007.
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfeming44)