SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In November, senior middle blocker Courtney Barnes (Franklin, Tenn.) finished her volleyball career with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She will be assisted in working towards a graduate degree in physical therapy this fall by the Southern Conference, who announced on Wednesday that Barnes has been awarded the Bob McCloskey Insurance Graduate Scholarship.

Seven student-athletes along with Barnes will be honored for their accomplishments as student-athletes at the Southern Conference Honors Dinner in Charleston, S.C. on Wednesday, June 1. The other recipients were Matt Leeds (College of Charleston), Allison Drutchas (Davidson), Callan Elswick (Davidson), Jessica Mass (The Citadel), Michael Schecter (Wofford), Ina Ables (Samford), Jake Ware (Georgia Southern).

The Franklin, Tenn., native carries a 3.89 grade point average in exercise science and has been named to the Dean List following each semester. She is a three-time member of the ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-District Team including first-team honors in 2010. Barnes was named to the SoCon Academic All-Conference Team in each of the past three seasons. Another academic recognition for Barnes was by the Golden Key National Honor Society in 2010.

On the court, Barnes set the Chattanooga single-season hitting percentage (.335) in 2009 and increased it to .340 in 2010. She ended her career as the modern-day leader in career hitting at .312, while totaling 822 kills. The four-year letterwinner finished her career with 270 blocks, which is seventh on the Lady Mocs list.

As a student-athlete, Barnes spent her time in the community assisting with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Chickamauga Chase, Bethel Bible Village and local nursing homes.

The Lady Mocs volleyball team is currently in spring workouts and begin their spring schedule on March 31 at Belmont with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. (E.D.T). Chattanooga welcomes UAB to Maclellan Gym for the first home match this spring on April 3.