Riverwood Student-Athletes Sign Letters Of Commitment

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Three Riverwood International Charter School students recently signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Kalia Jones has signed on to play volleyball at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta while Kaitlyn Lauk will play soccer at Reinhardt University in Waleska.

Theresa Riccio, who received an athletic scholarship for women's track and field at the University of Montevallo in Alabama, signed her national letter of intent to compete at the school.

Jones will receive academic and athletic scholarships to serve as a middle blocker for the Scotties, an NCAA Division III team that competes in the USA South Athletic Conference.

“Kalia's signing to Agnes Scott is the result of her being a skillful volleyball player and her great character, said Riverwood head volleyball coach Nikia Bynum-Isler. "She has worked hard at perfecting her craft by playing high school and club volleyball, and I am glad to see that she can enjoy the fruits of her labor. Kalia will be a great contributor to the Lady Scotties Volleyball team during her time there."

Jones has played Raider volleyball for four years, two on the junior varsity team and two on varsity, where she served as the team captain both years. As a senior, she was named to the Honorable Mention, Second All-Area Team and, at the conclusion of her junior season, she earned All-Area Honorable Mention. Outside of Riverwood, Jones played for competitive volleyball teams at NAVC, Atlanta Extreme and, most recently, GA5.
An accomplished musician, Jones is the first chair of the Riverwood Orchestra. She is a member of the Raider Community Service Club, Shades of Black Club and FBLA.

“I am thankful for every coach who has helped me with my volleyball skills, and I thank my parents for pushing me to not only excel in education, but in volleyball as well," said Jones, who is the daughter of Tiffani Bell and Phillip Jones.

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Lauk, a four-year varsity starter for the Lady Raiders, earned All-Region first team honors as a sophomore. As
a junior, Lauk set a new school record for the most goals in a single game (seven) and the most goals in a season (25). Not surprisingly, she won the team's Offensive Most Valuable Player award in 2017. Serving as team captain as a senior, Lauk has already shattered the school's season goal record. With only three regular
season games remaining at the time of this article, she already has 33 goals.

Lauk was the school's nominee for the 2018 Wendy's High School Heisman award, as well as a 2018 Positive Athlete Georgia nominee. In addition to playing varsity soccer for the Raiders, Lauk plays for the Concorde Fire Soccer Club. A few of her accomplishments include being an Athena A Disney Finalist, a State Cup Semifinalist, and playing with the Region Premier League and the Elite Club National League.

Lauk has been a member of the Raider chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for three years. She was an inaugural member of the Community Service Club and remains extremely active in the club as a senior. Also involved with the Student Government Association, Lauk served on the Sadie committee as a sophomore and the prom committee as a junior. Lauk is the daughter of René and Misty Lauk of Sandy Springs.

The Division II Falcons, members of the Gulf South Conference, recruited Riccio for high jump. Riccio plans on majoring in speech pathology with a minor in deaf education. Riccio attended Cherokee High School in Canton as a freshman, sophomore and junior. As a member of the varsity track and field team each year, she was the Region 4-AAAAAAA High Jump Champion twice and a Class AAAAAAA State Qualifier two times. She served as the Cherokee Warriors team co-captain in both her sophomore and junior years. Riccio was also twice named to the All-Cherokee County Track & Field team.

As a Raider for her senior year, Riccio won the 2018 Fulton County High Jump Championship. At the time of this article, the Region 6-AAAAA championships, the Sectionals, and the Class AAAAA State Championship remain on the 2018 schedule. Riccio is a member of the Raider chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is in the women's chorus. Outside of school, Riccio is a member of the Heat Track Club, participated in the Summer USA Track and Field program, and is a special needs helper at Woodstock City Church. Riccio is the daughter of Lisa and Lance Riccio of Canton.

Photo 1: Lauk holding a Reinhardt University Eagles jersey.

Photo 2: Riverwood International Charter School senior, Kalia Jones, signed a commitment to play volleyball at Agnes Scott College. Back row, left to right: Riverwood Athletic Director, Michael Mezzio and Riverwood Principal Charles Gardner. Front row, left to right: Tiffani Bell (mother), Kalia Jones, Phillip Jones (father) and Riverwood Head Volleyball Coach Nikia Bynum-Isler.

Photo 3: Back row, left to right: Riverwood Athletic Director Mike Mezzio and Riverwood Principal Chuck Gardner. Front row, left to right: Riverwood Track & Field Assistant Coach Zach McKeone, Cherokee High School Track & Field Head Coach, Jennifer Jones, Theresa Riccio, father Lance Riccio, and Riverwood Track & Field Head Coach Isaac Seals.

Images via Riverwood International Charter School