Sissom named Spirit of Service Award Honoree

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee women's basketball standout Abbey Sissom has been named one of 14 C-USA Winter Spirit of Service award winners, as announced by C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod today.

The C-USA Spirit of Service Award recognizes the community service efforts of the league's student-athletes, based upon significant public service, good academic standing and participation in their selected sport. The Spirit of Service Award is presented three times throughout the year, with today's honorees representing C-USA's winter sports.

"We are proud of Abbey and this recognition," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "We take pride in academics and community service as much as anything and all of our players are involved in some capacity. Abbey is one of several great ambassadors we have on the team when it comes to being community-minded and taking care of business in the classroom."

Sissom was an all-defensive team and all-academic team selection during the 2016-17 season for the Lady Raider basketball program. The Woodbury, Tenn., native has produced both in the classroom and in her community.

Sissom, the daughter of Gaylon and Suzette Sissom, has worked with Special Olympics, National Reading in Schools Day and We Haul, an event to assist new Middle Tennessee students into their housing. She is also an active volunteer with United Way and for field days at local schools.

Sissom sports a 3.76 GPA in pre-physical therapy with a minor in exercise science and is a two-year member of the C-USA Commissioner's List.

"Academics and community service has always been important to me because it has been instilled from an early age," Sissom said. "Doing well in school was always important because you can't play in college without doing well academically in high school. Academics and community service is greatly stressed by Coach Insell in our program so that has been a blessing and allows me to continue to be part of the community and help give back."

Sissom was also solid on the court as a junior when she produced 13 double-figure scoring games and was the team's third-leading scorer with 8.9 points per game. Sissom was among C-USA leaders in several categories. She was third in 3-point field goal percentage, third for 3-point field goals made, third in assist-turnover ratio, four in minutes played and 11^th in assists. Sissom connected for three or more 3-pointers in 11 games and five or more in four others.

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Abbey Sissom

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