Abby Staker

Position:
Defender
Height:
5-8
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Cary, N.C.
High School:
Cary Academy

Abby Staker
Dorrance on Staker: Abby Staker was an academic stalwart coming in from Cary Academy. Several years ago, I got the opportunity to speak at Cary Academy and its valedictorian also spoke and I was thinking to myself what am I doing here. Those were the smartest collection of kids I’ve ever seen. They certainly didn’t need me to go over there to be a commencement speaker. Well Abby Staker is that kind of young woman. She an absolute scholar in the most positive sense. It’s a privilege for the University of North Carolina to have this young woman here studying for her degree. Her challenge is to make the travel roster. Abby could play anywhere on the left side. Right now, we are primarily using her as a left back. Abby’s scholarship and her character are just off the charts and I love having her on my roster.
Junior Year (2018): Member of UNC Student-Athlete Advisory Council • saw first action of year with 10-minute stint against Marquette • also played 12 minutes off the bench against Howard and 11 minutes against Kansas • played in three games overall, totaling 33 minutes.
Sophomore Year (2017): Versatile performer who came off the bench to play 61 minutes in nine games, including a season-high 21 minutes against Syracuse • recorded the first point of her career against the Orange, assisting on a Madison Schultz goal in 83rd minute • named to 2017-18 ACC Academic Honor Roll for second successive year.
Freshman Year (2016): Took a medical red-shirt year while recovering from an injury • was a key practice player for the Tar Heels as they advanced to College Cup • named to 2016-17 ACC Academic Honor Roll • member of Dean’s List in both semesters of 2016-17 school year.
High School: Graduated from Cary Academy in 2016 • was tapped as the Cary Academy Athlete of the Year in 2016 • 2016 News & Observer girls’ soccer player of the year • played three years of soccer as a forward • scored 37 goals and had 28 assists as a senior, 24 goals and 24 assists as a junior and 13 goals and four assists as a sophomore • All-State selection in 2014, 2015 & 2016 • All-Conference and All-region choice each of those years as well • 2015 All-Metro selection • TISAC Conference Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016 • Cary Academy soccer captain as senior • set school’s career assist record • won the team’s golden boot in 2015 when she scored 24 goals and recorded 25 assists • led team to TISAC conference titles in three straight years from 2014-16 • as member of Cary Academy team led squad to N.C. Independent Schools 3A state finals in 2014 and semifinalist spot in 2015 • also ran track where she was an All-State and All-Conference honoree in the 4x800 relay • member of Headmaster’s Honor Roll four years • Effort Honor Roll four years • elected to National Honor Society in 2014 • Beta Club member all four years.
Club: Played her club soccer as member of CASL ECNL as a left back • ECNL PDP selection in 2015 • led squad to ECNL North American final in Richmond, Va. in 2014.
Personal: Full name is Abigail Ann Staker • prefers to be called Abby • daughter of Todd and Liddy Staker • stands 5-8 • has a sister, Mimi, 21 • was born August 16, 1998 in Cary, N.C. • her sister Mimi is a professional ballerina with the New York City Ballet • her father played college basketball at Miami University • business major with minor in entrepreneurship.