Aug. 25, 2015
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – It's not unusual for Abbie Fleener to hold court, even in the middle of a sports medicine training room.
The self-proclaimed unique soul attributes her magnetic personality to her upbringing. She, along with her three older sisters and younger brother, lived in four states before she went off to college.
On this particular day, as she lounges in compression boots, she has the attention of a teammate, a women's basketball player, the volleyball team's communications director and an athletic trainer before UCF strength and conditioning coach, Ben O'Donnell, walks in.
The topic of discussion is Fleener's singing talent.
O'Donnell: I saw her sing with her sister. I was impressed. It was good.
Fleener: Did you know I'm flying out to Nashville?
O'Donnell: Abbie stop.
Fleener: I am!
O'Donnell: *NO* record deals until volleyball is over. You know, I play the drums.
Fleener: Are you inviting yourself in the band?
She's kidding. Sort of.
There is a band, and it's currently fielding name suggestions because The Fleener Sisters is too basic. Fleener's sister Ashley moved to Nashville to pursue a career in the music industry. It seems musicality – like athleticism -- runs in their roots. Fleener, the first cousin of Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener, said her grandfather released an album in the 1930s-40s and was part of a barbershop quartet.
"All of my siblings can hold a tune, and my mom and dad think they can sing but they are honestly terrible," she said laughing. "It's super cute. We allow it."
While her sister is the songwriter and aspiring musician, the 6-foot-2 outside hitter just enjoys messing around at home singing songs from the Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty or the Broadway hit Hairspray.
One day, the two harmonized together and liked what they heard. In late May, Fleener posted a video of the duo covering Vance Joy's Riptide to her Facebook account. It generated more than 115 likes.
Since then, they've put a demo together to see what interest they can draw.
"I'm not the type of person who wants to have a desk job right away," Fleener said. "We've talked about moving to Nashville and doing gigs while we are still young. My priority is graduating and finishing with my degree."
Fleener is heading into her senior year at UCF. She transferred from DePaul in 2014 and helped the Knights to their first conference championship in 11 years.
"I wanted to contribute to a winning program and really feel that my presence could contribute to the team in a positive way," she said. "It was really cool being surrounded by All-Americans and really talented players that push you to be better."
After spending her summer taking classes, working out and traveling to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on a week-long service-learning trip, she has her sights set on another conference ring. She also wants to see the volleyball team make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
And the dreamer in her is waiting to see if she becomes the music industry's next big thing.
"It's crazy for something like that to happen, but while I have the opportunity I am going to go for it," Fleener said. "And it's with my sister and she is my best friend, so I feel super comfortable doing this with her."
Story by Jenna Marina