ELLISVILLE – One of the top players for the Jones College women's soccer team will be heading to an NCAA Division II program.
Mary Ann O'Kennedy (Sligo, Ireland) signed with Delta State University Thursday afternoon in the McClellan Hall Media Room.
"I love the fact that I'm able to continue my soccer career," she said, "I love playing at a competitive level and for me giving up was not an option. I love the game too much. I love the people, I love the memories and I'm not giving that up just because of an injury."
O'Kennedy has been a fixture on the Jones' campus for three years.
She was injured during her true freshman season in 2017, but bounced back as a redshirt freshman to earn All-MACJC honors last year. She had two goals and seven assists in 2018 to help the Lady Bobcats earn its third straight MACJC and Region 23 championships.
O'Kennedy, better known as 'Maizy' to everyone at Jones, played in seven games in 2019 before absorbing another season-ending injury. She scored one goal this season.
Jones head coach Dolores Deasley said O'Kennedy is one of the most competitive players she has ever coached.
"Maizy sustained a couple of knee injuries while playing at Jones and it never got her down," she said. "She rose to the occasion working tirelessly on her own to get healthy and better than before. She is full of grit and is a true team player. She's the kid that when the going gets tough will put in a tackle and carry the team on her back.
"Her level of commitment is second to none and Delta State is getting not only a good player, but an even better person."
O'Kennedy was quite a presence for the Lady Bobcats.
She was selected as a team captain for all three of her seasons at Jones and even when sidelined by injury, O'Kennedy maintained a strong spirit.
"If you ask any of the girls, I am never a quiet kind of player," she said. "Nothing was going to change when I went to the sideline. When I was on the sideline, I felt it was my role to pick the girls up and lift them with words of encouragement and tell them they can do better when they were down on themselves."
Lady Bobcat teammate Esmeralda Figueroa (Northeast Jones) signed with Mississippi State University during Thursday's ceremony.
"We are delighted to see both student-athletes move on to two very good programs," Deasley added.
More Lady Bobcats are expected to sign with senior colleges in the coming months.