Northwestern University Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Abbott Cooks Up Kills, Steaks
11/3/2017 6:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
By Hugh Mallen
NUsports.com Correspondent
The only thing Symone Abbott loves more than cooking a medium-rare steak is spiking the ball on her opponent's half of the court.
The Northville, Michigan, native currently leads the Big Ten in kills per set, attacks per set, and points per set, proving to be the linchpin for the Wildcats' attack.
This year, Abbott has transformed her game to become a much more balanced player. Shane Davis, the second-year Northwestern head coach, said she is a vastly improved all-around player for his team, a remark most typified by her increased hitting percentage, which is 25 percent increase from last year's mark.
Her game's improvement has helped to unleash a more balanced NU attack.
"She draws a lot of attention from the opposing blocking defense, so it allows other people to open up and create other opportunities," Davis said.
Although she has improved her accuracy and defense, Abbott has always been able to score. She has proven to be a standout during her time in purple and white, accumulating 1,542 kills in her career, including the second-most in a junior season with 459.
Although Abbott continues to etch her name in the Wildcats' record books, she feels her play will only continue to improve.
"I started volleyball pretty late, so I haven't hit my peak yet," she said.
Another thing Abbott constantly tries to improve is her cooking. She said she loves everything about cooking, and wants to be a chef or culinary expert later in life. She said her cooking habit stems from the fact that it is a no-pressure, no-anxiety, and no-stress hobby. Her favorite meal to cook is a medium-rare steak, with her favorite critic being herself.
"You can't lose at cooking," Abbott said. "Whatever you make, even though it might not taste the best, you can just make that next thing better."
Davis' trust in his senior may only extend to the court, however.
"I might be a little nervous to try her cooking," Davis joked.
After Abbott graduates in the spring, she wants to play professional volleyball in Europe, pinpointing France or Italy as possible destinations. Davis said Abbott does all the proper training to play the sport professionally, and he has begun to pull some strings for her.
"Our staff is working with people from the outside to make sure we're making the right connections and having the right conversations for her with people at the next level," he said.
Before that next step, Abbott and the Wildcats have to face the rigor of the Big Ten slate, which includes four more home matches featuring all top-10 opponents.
NUsports.com Correspondent
The only thing Symone Abbott loves more than cooking a medium-rare steak is spiking the ball on her opponent's half of the court.
The Northville, Michigan, native currently leads the Big Ten in kills per set, attacks per set, and points per set, proving to be the linchpin for the Wildcats' attack.
This year, Abbott has transformed her game to become a much more balanced player. Shane Davis, the second-year Northwestern head coach, said she is a vastly improved all-around player for his team, a remark most typified by her increased hitting percentage, which is 25 percent increase from last year's mark.
Her game's improvement has helped to unleash a more balanced NU attack.
"She draws a lot of attention from the opposing blocking defense, so it allows other people to open up and create other opportunities," Davis said.
Although she has improved her accuracy and defense, Abbott has always been able to score. She has proven to be a standout during her time in purple and white, accumulating 1,542 kills in her career, including the second-most in a junior season with 459.
Although Abbott continues to etch her name in the Wildcats' record books, she feels her play will only continue to improve.
"I started volleyball pretty late, so I haven't hit my peak yet," she said.
Another thing Abbott constantly tries to improve is her cooking. She said she loves everything about cooking, and wants to be a chef or culinary expert later in life. She said her cooking habit stems from the fact that it is a no-pressure, no-anxiety, and no-stress hobby. Her favorite meal to cook is a medium-rare steak, with her favorite critic being herself.
"You can't lose at cooking," Abbott said. "Whatever you make, even though it might not taste the best, you can just make that next thing better."
Davis' trust in his senior may only extend to the court, however.
"I might be a little nervous to try her cooking," Davis joked.
After Abbott graduates in the spring, she wants to play professional volleyball in Europe, pinpointing France or Italy as possible destinations. Davis said Abbott does all the proper training to play the sport professionally, and he has begun to pull some strings for her.
"Our staff is working with people from the outside to make sure we're making the right connections and having the right conversations for her with people at the next level," he said.
Before that next step, Abbott and the Wildcats have to face the rigor of the Big Ten slate, which includes four more home matches featuring all top-10 opponents.
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