ATLANTA - Ellie Jones of the Belhaven Softball team has been named as the Blazers' nominee for the Collegiate Conference of the Year award, confirmed by the league on Wednesday. Jones joins three other nominees from the CCS as candidates for the Woman of the Year award which recognizes the top female student-athlete for their athletic, academic, service, and leadership involvement during the academic year.

Ellie Jones on her nomination

"My experiences as a student, athlete, and leader have shaped the way I approach service to my community and beyond. Through years of dedication to excellence in academics, high-level competition, and consistent service, I have grown into a woman who embodies ideals of a student-athlete such as discipline, drive, and compassion.

Many of my most meaningful opportunities to impact others have grown from my passion for science. At Belhaven University, I served as a mathematics and physics tutor, helped lead our American Chemical Society student chapter, and volunteered at the Mississippi Children's Museum. These roles allowed me to share my love for the fields of science and mathematics and promote access to quality education. As a Chemistry Research Fellow, I presented research across the southeastern United States, deepening my appreciation for academic opportunity. These experiences reinforced for me what a privilege it is to be an educated woman, in science particularly, and inspired my continued commitment to mentoring and educating young girls.

My athletic career has been one of the greatest opportunities for growth in my leadership capabilities. As a two-year captain of the Belhaven University volleyball team, I stepped into a position that required emotional intelligence,
responsibility, and humility. It was on the softball field however, where I played in four NCAA tournaments, advanced to three Super Regionals, and competed in a national championship where I truly came to understand leadership without a title. Surrounded by strong, self-led women, I witnessed many styles of leadership and learned to lead in my own way. This environment empowered me to grow at my own pace, fostering a deep respect for servant leadership and team-first mentality.

Volunteering as a coach for the Illusions softball organization offered a new perspective on competition. It taught me that sport can be a powerful tool for growth, especially for young girls. Coaching challenged me to demonstrate what it means to compete with class, to lead with character, and to help young athletes discover confidence in themselves. As a coach, I aimed to teach compassion and gratitude in addition to technical skills. Watching their growth has been as fulfilling as any of my personal accomplishments.

Beyond these roles, I've also invested in my local Jackson community through food pantry outreach and early literacy work with elementary-aged girls. Each of these service efforts has shown me how to apply my passions for the greater good of a community that has given me so much. I look forward to pouring myself into the community in new ways as I study to become a dentist. I am confident that my experiences as an NCAA athlete will stay near to my heart as I pursue these future endeavors.

These diverse experiences have shaped me into a leader who values excellence, equity, and empathy. Whether I'm in the classroom, on the field, or in the community, I strive to use my platform to empower others, especially young women, to lead with confidence, pursue education, and know that their voice and purpose matter."

Jones has made a significant impact on and off the field during her time in Jackson. A multi-time All-American for the Blazers' nationally ranked softball program, Jones is coming off one of the best offensive seasons in program history where she set single-season program records in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Her contributions also earned her the 2025 CCS Softball Player of the Year award as she helped lead Belhaven to a CCS Tournament Championship and a fifth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

In the classroom, Jones has been just as much of a standout as she has been on the field. Jones' academic success earned her a CSC Academic All-American recognition earlier this summer and across her career, Jones has earned multiple Academic All-District awards. Her academic achievements at Belhaven have also led to an opportunity to continue her education as she enters Dental School at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

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