Abner and Stratton named to the FCSAA All-State Team
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Post season awards continue for two Falcons who earned coveted spots on the 2021 FCSAA All-State Team.
Sophomore Derionah Abner continues to earn top honors in our region as she is awarded one of the 12 spots on the FCSAA All-State team. Abner, who leads the region in kills with 236, has become a household name this season. Her impressive, explosive, play on the right side has given the Falcon offense the upper-hand in game play. Abner has lead the Falcons in kills this season and matched her offense with an impressive 42 aces on the season. “Derionah is truly an uncommon individual. She has a drive that is second to none and a personality that will certainly be missed. I am incredibly proud of her growth and leadership this year. As the only returning starter from the 2021 season she had some big shoes to fill, but like most things in life, Derionah has absolutely dominated the challenge. She indisputably deserves this All-State Team selection” stated interim head coach Laura Booker Anderson.
Freshman Sarah Stratton joins Abner on the All-State Team selection. The starting freshman Middle Blocker from Tauranga, New Zealand has put up impressive stats in her first collegiate season. Stratton has brought impressive play on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. She currently holds the 1st place position in both blocks per set, block assists and total blocks in the conference and is sitting strong nationally in the 2nd place spot for blocks per set, 4th in block assists, and 5th in block totals. Aside from her notable defensive play at the net, Stratton is currently boasting an extraordinary .315 hitting percentage on the season with 139 kills. “Sarah has been remarkable this season” noted interim head coach Laura Booker Anderson. “She has come in with an enormous amount of confidence and become an essential part of our offense as a middle. On top of that, she is a great leader and brings a competitiveness that is indisputable. Sarah may be one of the strongest middles to come through our program. I have been so impressed with her play this season and can’t wait to watch her continued growth. I knew she deserved the All-State honors, but I am glad that the other coaches saw that too.”
Erika Ascencio of Miami Dade was named the FCSAA Region 8 Player of the Year.
Nearly every member of the All-State team selections will be competing in the State tournament being held in Jacksonville, Florida March 25th-28th. The top two teams from the tournament will get an automatic bid to the NJCAA National Tournament being held April 15th-17th in West Plains, Missouri.