News

THREE NICKNAMES, ONE COOL CUSTOMER

Monday, September 10, 2012

Abby Serreyn

Perhaps the best way to describe UMD senior forward Abby Serreyn? The ultimate cool customer. Through three- plus seasons in a Bulldog uniform, the former Totino-Grace High School standout has been shuffled around between multiple positions. She’s started. She’s come off the bench. And she has (at least) three different nicknames depending on who is addressing her. “Sticks.” “Sixer.” “Stickers.” Serreyn’s teammates and coaches call her any of the above. To be honest, she’s not entirely sure where a couple of those nicknames came from. But no matter where she lines up, whether she starts or how she’s being addressed, Serreyn always carries a calm, collected demeanor.

“Prior to UMD, I moved around between positions a lot,” Serreyn said. I used to play forward then switched to outside mid. Then I switched back to forward as a junior. I just switch off whenever needed.”

Having that kind of team player at his disposal makes a huge difference for Bulldog head coach Greg Cane. He says Serreyn can be relied upon to show up every night, noting that she makes an impact far beyond what shows up in the box score. Cane also suggested the best could be yet to come from Serreyn, one of five seniors on the UMD roster.

“Abby Serreyn has brought us really good consistency in her play,” said Cane, who is in his 19th season at the Bulldog helm. “As a part-time forward and an attacking role player she’s someone who could break out.”

Regardless of how the soccer season plays out, Serreyn has a few different options to mull over once she graduates in the spring. An exercise science major, Serreyn plans to attend graduate school down the road. Exactly when to start pursuing post-graduate opportunities is the question.

“I might take a year off before grad school, and maybe do a little traveling.,” Serreyn said, adding that she may also consider getting into coaching at some level. “My family is from Belgium, so I’d like to travel and see my relatives over there.”

Serreyn says that wherever she does attend graduate school, she’d like to stay in the Midwest. If possible, Serreyn hopes to continue her education within the state of Minnesota, which is the perfect location for an outdoors enthusiast like herself.

“I love Lake Superior," Serreyn said. "I like any outdoors stuff, like camping. And biking or stuff likethat. I like fishing, too,”

In addition to the countless outdoor activities and life near Lake Superior, Serreyn has another reason for staying close by once she receives her diploma. She has a very close relationship with her younger sister, Alexis.

“It’s hard on [Alexis] whenever I come home from college for a while and then leave and have to go back,” Serreyn said of Alexis, who attends UMD games when she has a free minute away from her own competitive club soccer schedule.

Before she continues her post-graduate education, Serreyn plans to participate in more activities offered through the university upon completing her soccer career.

“I’m looking forward to getting a chance to do more stuff through UMD,” Serreyn said before specifying which activity intrigues her the most. “I want to get certified for scuba diving.”

So what’s the key to making it as an aspiring athlete, and more importantly, as a student-athlete down the line? Take it from the ever-calm, ever-consistent Abby Serreyn.

“Have fun and give it your all when you’re out there. The minute [sports] becomes work it’s not worth doing it.”

Return to all news.