For Springville senior Lauren Beason, all the hard work in the classroom and volleyball court has paid off.Beason signed a volleyball scholarship with Bevill St. in Fayette. Beason played three sports while at Springville. She also played basketball and softball but said volleyball was her favorite sport to play.
“I enjoyed playing all three sports but volleyball is the sport I’m best at,” Beason said.
For the past four years, Beason anchored the setter position on the squad.
“It is a great honor to have this scholarship opportunity to Bevill St.,” Beason said. “I’m glad Coach Holliman chose me to come be a setter for her. I’m very excited. This is the best place for me and I feel very comfortable.”
Other colleges interested in Beason were Northwest Shoals and Wallace St.
She maintains a 4.04 GPA and plans on majoring in counseling. After two years at Bevill St., Beason plans on transferring to Auburn University.
Beason is the 18-year-old daughter of Jeff and Vallie Beason of Springville.
Mr. Beason said he was real proud of his daughter.
“She has worked hard through the years playing three sports,” said her dad. “She has maintained good grades and her having a 4.0 GPA is very special to me. We think this is a good fit with Coach Holliman. We really like her and her program. It has been a very successful program through the years. We think Lauren will have a good career there.”
Vallie Beason said she was so very proud of Lauren.
“She has worked very hard academically,” Mrs. Beason said. “We feel the Lord has just blessed her in so many ways. We will continue to pray for her that she will have a good two years at Bevill. We think it is a good match for her and know everything is going to turn put great.”
Holliman said she is very excited to have a young lady like Beason with her talent and skills.
“She has athletic and academic ability which I really stress,” Holiman said. “This past year, we had several young ladies with 4.0 GPAs. They are looking to be academic All-Americans this season. Academics are first and volleyball is simply an avenue to get an education. I’m glad Lauren has given me an opportunity to work with her and be part of Bevill St. There is no doubt she will come in and make an immediate impact. I’m looking for her to come in and be my starting setter.”
Beason played two of her three sports for Coach Warren House, who said she was excellent in both sports.
“She has an outstanding future ahead of her in volleyball,” House said. “When I first tried her out at setter, you could just tell when she first touched the ball, we had her at the right position.”
House added that Beason was named the MVP of the junior varsity volleyball tournament as an eighth grader.
“After the first game or two, you could tell she was going to be the heir apparent for the varsity program,” House said. “She works very hard and has always done everything I’ve asked. She will be hard to replace because of her tremendous work ethic. We wish her the best of luck as she moves on.”
In her career, Beason is the all-time leader in assists at Springville with just over 3,200. She was the leading server all four years at the varsity level.
SHS Principal Robert Harris said Beason is a perfect example of a student-athlete.
“She has excelled in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA and 26 on ACT,” Harris said. “She has also excelled in three sports. If you look at the definition of student-athlete, that would be Lauren Beason.”
