BALTIMORE – Freshman Bailee Jackson (Ames, IA/Ames Central) shined during the Coppin State Summer Academic Success Academy. The incoming volleyball student-athlete achieved one of the highest honors during the rigorous summer program by being named Miss Academic of SASA. Jackson had the highest GPA of the program with straight A's.
“It’s nice to be recognized by somebody else for my hard work,” Jackson said. “I was surprised when I learned of the award because I didn’t know it was going to happen. I focused a lot on my academics and taking advantage of the opportunity I had. The program was really good. Earning seven credits is definitely helpful for the fall.”
Jackson along with incoming Coppin State student-athletes Blake Simpson (men’s basketball), Candice Beverly (women’s basketball), Oluwaseun Adeniji (women’s basketball) and D’ajahnae Smith (women’s basketball) was fortunate to participate in the SASA program this past summer.
A comprehensive, four-week summer residential program, SASA is designed to help incoming first-year students make the transition from high school to college while earning college credits. SASA students complete college courses, attend college success workshops and tutoring, and participate in social and leadership activities.
This highly structured experience allowed freshmen students to experience the expectations and rigors of college prior to the fall term. Students connected with faculty, staff and peer mentors who guided them through their transition. The program provided first-year students an introduction to the academic, social, and recreational resources of the campus community.
“I had never been on Coppin State’s campus for a long period of time,” Jackson said. “Knowing where to go was really advantageous for me. It was a really nice program and I liked being a part of it.”
Jackson took three courses: Technology 101, Math 110 and Freshman Seminar. Of course, when Jackson returns to campus, she’ll be trying to help the Eagle volleyball squad build off of the momentum generated by their history-making 2013 when they advanced to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship match, won a program-record 15 games and set a school standard with eight conference triumphs.
A 5 foot, 9 inch outside hitter, Jackson is joining a strong Coppin State team that returns 11 key performers from last year’s team including All-MEAC selections Gabrielle Otero, Kandace Thomas and Cindy Okpegbue. The Eagles won a school record 15 matches last season and advanced to the MEAC championship match. In addition Coppin State also enjoyed an eight-match home winning streak.
Under third-year coach Ashley Preston; the Eagles have become one of the best volleyball programs in the MEAC. Coppin State begins its season on Friday, Aug. 29 against New Jersey Institute of Technology in the La Salle University tournament beginning at 10 a.m. in Philadelphia.
Jackson is no stranger to success as she enjoyed a distinguished senior season at Iowa’s Ames High. She was named to the Iowa Class 5A honorable mention all-state team as well as Class 5A west district team by the Iowa Girls’ Volleyball Coaches Association. Jackson averaged 3.23 kills and 3.83 digs per set in 2013 and recorded 58 aces.
“Bailee was a great student in high school and her continuing to excel in college is great to see,” Preston said. “When kids are vacationing and relaxing during the summer, Bailee was here studying and taking classes, that just says a lot about the driven person she is and I am happy to have her on my team.”
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