Symone Abbott
Biography
Personal: Abbott majored in communication studies at Northwestern University. Interestingly, her grandfather, Art, also graduated with a master's degree in audiology from Northwestern in 1966. Abbott is one of five children in her family. Her brother, Anthony, played football at the University of Wisconsin during the 2020 season, while her sister, Chloe, was an All-America performer on the track and field team at Purdue from 2017-18 before competing at Kentucky from 2019-20. Their father, Anthony, also competed in track and field at Eastern Michigan. If she wasn't playing volleyball, Symone Abbott would pursue a career in acting. During her childhood, she played the flute and tuba. Her hobbies include astrology, arcades, bowling, and watching Disney and Marvel movies, as well as The Twilight Saga and The Hobbit movies. She also enjoys fashion and makeup.
2021 Season: Abbott accumulated 1,914 leaderboard points, finishing in 27th place. She also contributed 994 stat points and 780 win points. Abbott showcased her skills in 15 matches, appearing in 43 sets. She averaged 2.81 kills and 2.57 digs per set, demonstrating her versatility. Additionally, Abbott recorded five blocks and two service aces. She had five matches with 10 or more kills, including a season-high 17 kills against Team Edmond on March 15. Furthermore, she achieved her first double-double with 17 kills and 14 digs in the same match against Team Edmond. Abbott closed Week Five with back-to-back double-double performances against Team De La Cruz and Team King. She earned 200 or more leaderboard points in a match four times, with a season-high of 312 points against Team De La Cruz on March 28.
Other Professional Experience: Abbott has an impressive seven-year professional career, with experience in Italy, Greece, Puerto Rico, and Turkey. She began her professional journey with Liu Jo Nordmeccanica Modena in Italy during the 2017-18 campaign. Abbott was recognized as the Best Outside Hitter at the 2018-19 French Cup while playing for Saint-Raphaël Var Volley-Ball.
International Experience: Abbott has represented Team USA and contributed to their success. She helped guide Team USA to a Bronze medal at the 2021 NORCECA Pan American Cup Final Six, sharing the court with current Athletes Unlimited Volleyball athletes Taylor Bruns Tegenrot, Shelly Fanning, Lindsay Stalzer, and Ali Bastianelli. Additionally, Abbott participated in the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team in 2016.
At Northwestern: Abbott was a four-year letter winner, playing in 435 sets across 124 matches from 2014-2017. Her impressive career includes ranking fourth in school history with 1,616 career kills, with a remarkable 3.71 kill per set average that places her third on the Wildcats' all-time list. In her final two seasons, she recorded 400 or more kills, including a career-high 459 kills as a junior. Abbott earned Honorable Mention AVCA All-America selection during her senior season. She was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference performer, securing First-Team accolades as a senior and receiving Honorable Mention recognition during her junior season. Abbott was also a member of the 2017 AVCA All-Region Team after leading the Big Ten by averaging 10.72 attack attempts per set and ranking third in the Big Ten with a 4.00 kill per set average. She set her career high with 29 kills against Indiana on October 6, 2017, and matched that mark against Maryland on October 13, 2017.