Northwestern University Athletics
Abbott, Robinson Cap Off Strong Years with Postseason Honors
11/28/2017 2:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. – After closing out her career as one of the most accomplished players in Northwestern history, senior outside hitter Symone Abbott added another accolade as she was named to First Team All-Big Ten, the conference announced Tuesday.
In addition, first-year outside hitter Nia Robinson was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, capping off an impressive 2017 campaign.
Abbott was one of the top attackers in the nation throughout the season, leading the Big Ten in attacks per set and finishing third in kills per set with 4.00. This is the second consecutive season Abbott has averaged four kills per frame, making her just the third player ever in Northwestern history to average four or more kills per set in multiple years. Abbott also finished in the top-50 in the nation and fourth in the conference in points per set with 4.49, while hitting for a career-high .248 hitting percentage on the season.
The senior was a consistent presence for the Wildcats as she led the team in kills 22 times this season, registering more than 20 on four different occasions. Abbott finished her career tied for second in program history with an average of 3.71 kills per set and fourth in career kills with 1,616.
Abbott is the first All-Big Ten First Team recipient for NU since Stephanie Holthus in 2013.
In Northwestern's five-set victory over Indiana on Oct. 6, Abbott set a new career high in kills with 29, tied for the fifth most ever recorded by an NU player in a match. Then just one week later, Abbott matched that total against Maryland, becoming just the third player in Northwestern history to ever record more than 28 kills in multiple matches.
Robinson finished the year with 374 kills, the second-most kills among all Big Ten newcomers and the fifth most ever by an NU first-year. Furthermore, her 3.46 kills per set mark was 10th-best among all Big Ten players, while her .207 hitting percentage was 10th best among all conference first years.
The first-year reached double figures in kills 18 times this year and recorded more than 20 on four different occasions. Her season –and career– high came against Maryland on Oct. 13 when she posted 25 kills for a .468 clip, making her and Abbott the first NU duo to notch 20-plus kills in a single match since 2013.
Robinson's 24 kills in the Wildcats' sweep over Rutgers on Oct. 25 were the most kills in a three-set match this season from a Big Ten player and tied for the most in a three-set match in Northwestern history.
Robinson is the first Wildcat to be named to the All-Freshman Team since Katie Dutchman in 2011.
Gabrielle Hazen was the recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The senior had a historically efficient career as she finished tied for fifth in program history with a .297 career hitting percentage. Furthermore, her .338 percentage this season was the sixth highest single-season clip in program history.
In addition, first-year outside hitter Nia Robinson was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, capping off an impressive 2017 campaign.
Abbott was one of the top attackers in the nation throughout the season, leading the Big Ten in attacks per set and finishing third in kills per set with 4.00. This is the second consecutive season Abbott has averaged four kills per frame, making her just the third player ever in Northwestern history to average four or more kills per set in multiple years. Abbott also finished in the top-50 in the nation and fourth in the conference in points per set with 4.49, while hitting for a career-high .248 hitting percentage on the season.
The senior was a consistent presence for the Wildcats as she led the team in kills 22 times this season, registering more than 20 on four different occasions. Abbott finished her career tied for second in program history with an average of 3.71 kills per set and fourth in career kills with 1,616.
Abbott is the first All-Big Ten First Team recipient for NU since Stephanie Holthus in 2013.
In Northwestern's five-set victory over Indiana on Oct. 6, Abbott set a new career high in kills with 29, tied for the fifth most ever recorded by an NU player in a match. Then just one week later, Abbott matched that total against Maryland, becoming just the third player in Northwestern history to ever record more than 28 kills in multiple matches.
Robinson finished the year with 374 kills, the second-most kills among all Big Ten newcomers and the fifth most ever by an NU first-year. Furthermore, her 3.46 kills per set mark was 10th-best among all Big Ten players, while her .207 hitting percentage was 10th best among all conference first years.
The first-year reached double figures in kills 18 times this year and recorded more than 20 on four different occasions. Her season –and career– high came against Maryland on Oct. 13 when she posted 25 kills for a .468 clip, making her and Abbott the first NU duo to notch 20-plus kills in a single match since 2013.
Robinson's 24 kills in the Wildcats' sweep over Rutgers on Oct. 25 were the most kills in a three-set match this season from a Big Ten player and tied for the most in a three-set match in Northwestern history.
Robinson is the first Wildcat to be named to the All-Freshman Team since Katie Dutchman in 2011.
Gabrielle Hazen was the recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The senior had a historically efficient career as she finished tied for fifth in program history with a .297 career hitting percentage. Furthermore, her .338 percentage this season was the sixth highest single-season clip in program history.
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