Athletes Of The Week: Abbey Parker

During the school year, the weeks fly by quickly for Southern Wayne’s Abbey Parker.

However, that is to be expected since the senior participates in two sports – softball and volleyball – at Southern Wayne High School.

In her sophomore season, Parker helped lead the Saints to their first winning season (11-9) in decades. The Saints also made the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

She has a career .316 batting average, .387 on-base percentage with 30 RBIs, six doubles and three triples.

More importantly, Parker puts her teammates and her coaches first. She is always willing to help, and for her efforts, she is this week’s Brian Allen State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Week.

“I’ve been playing softball since I was about six or so,” Parker said. “Nobody in my family plays sports, so I’m actually kind of the odd one, I don’t really know how I started playing softball.”

A member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Parker has been on both varsity squads for years now, so she learned how to handle her athletic demands while maintaining her academics.

Parker said she credits coach Jamie Williams for helping her navigate the halls of Southern Wayne.

“I’m very close with coach Williams. Coach Williams puts out a really good environment for all of her players,” Parker said. “I have no clue where I’d be if she and her family didn’t come into my life.

“She’s been such an inspiration in my life. I actually babysit coach’s kids.”

On the volleyball court last season, Parker led the Saints in assists (192) and was third on the team in digs (118).

The Saints may not have won many games, but Parker said she enjoyed every moment out the court with her teammates.

“Even if we don’t win games, we always cheer for each other,” Parker said.

Parker, who wants to become a nurse, said she is looking forward to playing the sports she loves, with the people she loves, starting in November. She has plenty of goals for her senior season but getting the opportunity to play sports one more time with her teammates and coaches is enough for her.