Six Big South Women's Basketball Student-Athletes Named Kay Yow Servant Leaders
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – The Kay Yow Cancer Fund recently announced that six Big South women’s basketball student-athletes have been named 2025-26 Kay Yow Servant Leader Award recipients. The prestigious award honors student-athletes who exemplify the values of leadership, selflessness, and service.
The Big South honorees are
Jaelyn Acker (Gardner-Webb),
Chana Paxixe (High Point),
Daniella Velez (Presbyterian),
Deborah Orianegbena (UNC Asheville),
Zora Fray-Chinn (USC Upstate) and
Persias Williams (Winthrop), and each will be distinguished as a Servant Leader through a patch on their jersey during the season.
The Kay Yow Servant Leader Award honors Coach Yow’s legacy and the young people who carry the fight forward, inspiring others through their actions and leadership. It is presented annually to student-athletes who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to making a positive impact in their communities -- people with a servant’s spirit and a commitment to selfless leadership both on and off the court or athletic field. A total of 64 award recipients across 22 conferences and all divisions -- DI, DII, DIII and JUCO -- comprise the 2025-26 Servant Leaders.
Coach
Kay Yow, Hall of Fame basketball coach and namesake of the Fund, was widely admired not only for her success on the court but also for her compassion, integrity, and dedication to helping others. She hoped to inspire people to make a difference in the fight against all cancers affecting women -- a fight that impacts everyone. And she counted on the sports community of coaches, players, officials, and fans to propel the cause.
For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Servant Leader program, visit
https://kayyow.com/about/servant-leader/.