Abby Freund has been able to juggle a jam-packed high school schedule chock full of volleyball, clubs and other extra-curricular activities in her final year before heading off to college.
Abby Freund possesses a combination that many athletes only wish they could – and she owes it all to her mom, Sarah Freund, she says.
Freund, the recent Incarnate Word graduate and 5-foot-6 libero on the Red Knights’ Class 4 state championship team, said she owes a debt of gratitude to her mom for helping her achieve feats on the volleyball court while earning the No. 4 spot in the rankings for her graduating class.
“For my entire life, she has pushed me to be competitive and gritty but also kind and caring,” Freund said. “She has always wanted me to be my best and do my best, (no matter) the outcome.”
Freund said that she was proud to have a blueprint, of sorts, for her success. After all, Sarah Freund was a standout student-athlete at Incarnate in both soccer and volleyball, including being a part of the 1993 state championship soccer team before heading to Rockhurst University.
Sarah Freund is now a Physical Therapist in Lake St. Louis.
“My mother was a student-athlete herself and excelled in both fields,” Freund said. “This pushed me to want the same for myself because I was able to see from an early age that it was possible to do well in sports and academics. Without my mother, I would have never been able to accomplish all that I have and will continue to do, in my life. She is willing to give her all for the people she cares about.”
In her senior year, Freund was a member of the National Honor Society while earning spots on the academic all-state team and the school’s honor roll. In her spare time, Freund has been a member of the IWA Ambassador Program, the junior service project, the philanthropy club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the yoga club, and she has played for Team Momentum club volleyball.
Freund said that much of the credit for her academic success goes to everything and everyone that make up IWA, as a whole.
“Unfortunately, so many athletes lack in school because they pick athletics over academics,” Freund said. “For me, I wanted to do great in both. Incarnate allowed me to do this. Teachers were flexible with my busy schedule and were ready to help whenever I missed a class. They wanted me to achieve (in) both (endeavors). They were always cheering me on and pushing me to exceed expectations. While some may disagree, sports can only take a person so far. This is why I value my academics so much.”
Incarnate Word coach Shane Weber said that seeing his libero grow throughout high school on the court and in the classroom has been nothing short of exceptional.
The coach said that while Freund will head to the University of Tennessee-Martin to play indoor and beach volleyball, the school is getting one of the finest minds possible of all incoming freshmen.
Sure, her team-high 72 services aces, 600 serves received, and 500 digs were important for the Red Knights (31-10-1) but they only scratched the surface of Freund’s impact and value.
“I have had the honor of watching her grow into not only one of the best defensive players to come through Incarnate, but into a strong young woman as well,” Weber said. “She is a fierce competitor, a leader, a two-year team captain, and a loyal teammate. She pushes those around her to become not only better athletes in the gym every day, but better teammates as well. This program does not make the turn in the positive direction it has without Abby being part of it. I cannot wait to see what great things she has yet to come in her future as a collegiate academic athlete.”
With a state championship and a successful academic tenure in high school under her belt, Freund is now ready to move on.
Up next comes the challenge of tackling collegiate studies while playing Division I volleyball. It’s a challenge for which she’s fully prepared, thanks, in part, to her mom.
“She is the person who made me decide to have a career in the medical field, despite the constant talking about how challenging it is going to be as a Division I athlete,” Freund said. “One of the many lessons I have learned from my mother is to never shy away from a challenge and never give up before you even try. My mother is my role model because she has taught me so many lessons that will lead me to not only be successful in the classroom and on the court, but that will push me to be the best person I can be in every aspect of life.”
