Get to Know a Graduate Assistant: Amanda Abbott
by Jordan McCoy
Amanda Abbott has been the graduate assistant for the Concordia volleyball team for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Abbott is originally from Temecula, California. She moved to Nebraska when she was in high school and now resides in Lincoln. She graduated from Concordia in 2015 with a degree in elementary education and special education. During her time serving as a graduate assistant, she has been working towards a master’s degree in early childhood special education.
Photo courtesy of Concordia Athletic Department.
Abbott was a member of the volleyball team throughout her four years attending Concordia. An injury in her third season ended her playing career. Although she could no longer play, she still wanted to be a part of the program and help the team in whatever way she could. She became a student coach for the remainder of her career as a student at Concordia.
Coach Scott Mattera knew her experience as a Bulldog and her different roles in the program would make her a tremendous addition to the staff and a perfect fit for the program.
Abbott is the head coach of the junior varsity team and the assistant coach for the varsity team. The players nicknamed her “mom” because she is always looking out for the team’s best interest and being the motherly influence that the girls need.
“She’s like our mom away from home,” senior Hannah Oberle said. “She has a lot of heart for what she does, and it shows on and off the court. She’s just a huge joy to be around and she’s great at finding the positives in every situation.”
Abtott’s favorite part about the team was a no-brainer. The girls make the team special to her, and she is grateful that she is able to spend every day with them. Abbott has been dedicated to Concordia volleyball from the start of her career and is not planning on that changing anytime soon.
“I will have spent more than a quarter of my life with Concordia volleyball by the time I am finished, so I’m sure I’ll still come by and watch the girls play,” Abbott said.
