University of South Alabama Athletics

SOUTH ALABAMA
2016 (Redshirt Junior):  Appeared in 18 matches ... Ranked fifth in the Sun Belt Conference in digs per set (4.28) ... Recorded 295 digs, one kill, 62 assists and 12 service aces in 69 sets played ... Enters the season ranked  first at USA in career digs per set (3.74) and sixth in career digs (1085) ... Recorded a career-high seven assists in four sets at Georgia (Sept. 17) ... Tied a career-high in digs (34) in five sets against McNeese State (Sept. 16) ... Posted three service aces against Indiana State (Aug. 26) ... Named the SBC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 19) after recording 70 digs in 12 sets for an average of 5.83 digs per set at the Bulldog Invitational in Athens, Ga.

2015 (Redshirt):  Missed the entire season due to injury and received a medical redshirt.

2014 (Sophomore):  Played in all 31 of South Alabama’s matches during the 2014 season, competing in 113 sets … Started 25 matches, including 16 at the libero position … Led USA in digs (381) and digs per set (3.37) … Paced the team in digs in a team-best 14 matches … Had 17 double-figure dig matches … Recorded four matches of 20 or more digs … Was second on the team in serving with 17 aces … Led the Jags from behind the service line seven times … Recorded 19 digs vs. Montana (9/5) … Had a career-best 34 digs vs. Northwestern State (9/12) … The 34 digs are the most by a Jag during the Rally Scoring Era … Finished with 22 digs vs. Memphis (9/13) … Named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week (9/15) - just the third Jaguar to earn the honor … Had 29 digs at Troy (10/8) … The 29 digs by Baker were the most ever by a Jag in a three-set match, eclipsing the previous mark of 25 by Jenna Hassell set versus Florida International on Oct. 29, 2010 … It also tied Hassell for fifth-most by a Jag in a match during the Rally Era (2001-Present) … Named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List.

2013 (Freshman):  Played in all 29 matches and competed in 108 sets at the libero position as a true freshman … Moved into the libero role after the loss of Jenna Hassell prior to the start of the season and excelled … Ranked ninth in the conference in digs with 409 and a 3.79 digs per set average … Was better in Sun Belt action as she averaged 4.03 dps against league foes … Her 409 digs are the eighth-most in a single season at South Alabama and are the second-highest tally in a season by a freshman (Jennifer Autry – 421, 1988) … Her 3.79 digs per set average not only ranked among the conference leaders, but also fourth all-time on the single-season charts and was the highest average ever by a freshman in program history … Recorded six matches of 20 or more digs, including a season-high 26 in the regular-season finale at Georgia State on 11/17 … The 26 digs were the third-highest total in a four-set match at USA … Also had 23 digs in USA’s three-set match at Texas-Arlington (10/18) … Had 14 matches of 15 or more digs and finished in double figures in that category 22 times … Recorded a season-high four service aces in her first collegiate match against Tennessee State (8/30).

WHITEWATER HIGH SCHOOL  
Lettered four seasons at Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Ga., the last for two head coach Valerie Jones … Averaged 5.8 digs per set and tallied 558 total during her senior season, earning her a first all-state selection … Was also selected to participate in an all-star game that same season … A two-year captain, she was a member of two state championship clubs (AAAA in 2009 and AAAAA in 2012), while also finishing as the runner-up during her junior season … Was instrumental in Whitewater’s 3-1 victory over McIntosh as she had 22 digs in the championship match of her senior season … Ranked as one of the top five liberos in the state of Georgia her final two seasons … Recorded 663 total digs – second-most among all divisions – as a junior … Missed most of her sophomore year due to injury, but still managed to record 130 digs and help the Wildcats to a 49-5 record … Finished her prep career with 1,508 digs … Also had a stellar career at the club level, competing for the Tsunami Volleyball Club, based out of Atlanta, Ga. … Helped guided Tsunami to a club national title at the 34th Annual USA Volleyball Girl’s Junior National held in Dallas, Texas … Also helped Tsunami place third at the event in 2011 … Named a Defensive Dandy by PrepVolleyball.com … Recruited by former Sun Belt Conference member Middle Tennessee and Georgia Tech from the ACC.

PERSONAL
Abby Ann Baker … Born in Fayetteville, Ga. … Daughter of Scott and Joely Baker … Has a younger brother and sister … Father played baseball at Milligan College … Favorite movie is “Iron Man” … Favorite book is “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers … Favorite professional sports teams are the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons … Favorite athletes are Chipper Jones and Misty May-Treanor … Favorite musical artist is Justin Timberlake … Celebrities that she would most like to meet are Channing Tatum and Tim Tebow … Hopes to either coach or play overseas upon graduation … Majoring in physical education