After an excellent career as a player, Derionah Abner joined head coach Vanessa Faircloth’s staff as a graduate assistant coach for the 2024 season.
In 2024, Abner helped head coach Vanessa Faircloth guide UMES to a 12-15 record with a 6-8 mark in MEAC play. For the second consecutive season, the Hawks defeated the Norfolk State Spartans in the first round of the MEAC Tournament before falling in the second round. The Hawks finished with their most All-MEAC selections since 2018. Freshman middle blocker Lilliana Montes was named to the All-Rookie Team, while junior outside hitter Nkemjika Ikemefuna and sophomore setter Anisa Dorlouis earned spots on the All-MEAC Second Team. In addition, six Hawks (Soleil Cotton, Anisa Dorlouis, Ranyla Griggs, Nkemjika Ikemefuna, Lyric Snowden, and Isil Yilmaz) earned a spot on the MEAC All-Academic Team.
Prior to her coaching career, Abner had an illustrious playing career with both UMES and Daytona State.
In 2023, Abner was the captain of the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks who finished 16-12 (8-6 MEAC). She Appeared in 25 matches with 24 starts, earning CSC Academic All-District honors and All-MEAC honors. She finished her final season at UMES with 240 kills and a .213 hitting percentage while producing 45 blocks and 145 digs in 92 sets played. On October 1, 2023, Abner reached a milestone by recording her 500th kill in a UMES uniform. Her season highs on the campaign came in an 18 kill game against Gardner-Webb on Sept. 8 and a .619 hitting percentage against Marist on Sept. 1. By the season's end, Abner ranked tenth in the MEAC in points per set with 3.00 and ninth in kills per set with 2.66.
In 2022, Abner led the team in points (230.5) and kills (206). She was named MEAC Player of the Week on Oct. 31 and to the MEAC All-Tournament Team. The Orlando, Florida native posted a season high 16 kills against Morgan State on Sept. 16, a season high nine digs against Radford on Sept. 10, and five total blocks against Coppin State in the MEAC Championship Semifinal.
During her first season with UMES in 2021, the right side hitter led the Hawks in points (230.0) and finished third on the team in kills (178). Abner had season high 20 kills at George Washington on Sept. 11, a season high seven digs on two occasions (Oct. 31 at NCCU and Nov. 5 vs. Coppin State), and a season high six blocks versus Morgan State on Oct. 17. She also excelled at the service line with three aces versus Norfolk State on Sept. 24 and at South Carolina State on Oct. 29.
Prior To Eastern Shore, Abner played volleyball at Daytona State for two seasons, appearing in 46 matches and recording 422 kills and 291 digs in her two years with the Falcons. As a sophomore, she ranked first in aces.
At Wekiva High School, Abner was a four-sport star, Competing in volleyball, soccer, track and weightlifting as a high school student.
Outside of volleyball, Abner majored in rehabilitation psychology with the goal of helping recovering addicts. Abner earned her undergraduate degree during the 2022-2023 school year. In addition, she aims to open a vegan fast food franchise and enjoys going to coffee shops, reading, and hiking.
Abner’s favorite saying is “faith is greater than fear,” and she will aim to use that to help lead UMES volleyball to a successful season.
