University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Deborah Orianegbena Named 2025-26 Kay Yow Servant Leader Award Winner
10.06.2025 | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. - UNC Asheville sophomore forward Deborah Orianegbena has been named a 2025-26 Kay Yow Servant Leader Award Winner, announced by the organization today (Friday, Oct. 3). Â
"Congratulations to Deborah on receiving the Servant Leader Award!" said head coach Tynesha Lewis, who played for Kay Yow at North Carolina State. "Her resilience, integrity and unwavering commitment to serving others truly embody what it means to lead with heart."
Through presenting this award, the Kay Yow Foundation aims to recognize student-athletes who embody servant leadership. Annual award winners exemplify Coach Yow's spirit and are also servants at heart.
In receiving this honor, Orianegbena will wear a special patch on her jersey this season.
"Being named the Kay Yow Servant Leader is such an honor and a blessing," said Orianegbena. "For me, leadership has always been about service. I strive to lead the way Jesus did on earth - with love, humility and a heart to serve others. Truly, I enjoy serving because there's nothing like seeing the smile on people's faces, and fortunately, basketball has given me such a special way to connect with so many. I admire Coach Yow's legacy and the impact she has had, to be a recipient fills me with so much appreciation. This award reminds me to keep living with purpose, lifting others up, leading with both grace and gratitude just as Coach Yow did."
"We are honored to have Deborah represent our women's basketball program as a Kay Yow Servant Leader award winner this season," said Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "She exemplifies the kind of student-athletes we have here at UNC Asheville, and we are glad she is a Bulldog!"
The Bulldogs open the 2025-26 season on Monday, Nov. 3 at home against Mercer.
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake, Kay Yow, former NC State University head women's basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on January 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to raising money for life-saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare, and uniting people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded $8.78 million in the fight against all cancers affecting women. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, or to donate, please visit KayYow.com.
About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank
First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
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"Congratulations to Deborah on receiving the Servant Leader Award!" said head coach Tynesha Lewis, who played for Kay Yow at North Carolina State. "Her resilience, integrity and unwavering commitment to serving others truly embody what it means to lead with heart."
Through presenting this award, the Kay Yow Foundation aims to recognize student-athletes who embody servant leadership. Annual award winners exemplify Coach Yow's spirit and are also servants at heart.
In receiving this honor, Orianegbena will wear a special patch on her jersey this season.
"Being named the Kay Yow Servant Leader is such an honor and a blessing," said Orianegbena. "For me, leadership has always been about service. I strive to lead the way Jesus did on earth - with love, humility and a heart to serve others. Truly, I enjoy serving because there's nothing like seeing the smile on people's faces, and fortunately, basketball has given me such a special way to connect with so many. I admire Coach Yow's legacy and the impact she has had, to be a recipient fills me with so much appreciation. This award reminds me to keep living with purpose, lifting others up, leading with both grace and gratitude just as Coach Yow did."
"We are honored to have Deborah represent our women's basketball program as a Kay Yow Servant Leader award winner this season," said Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "She exemplifies the kind of student-athletes we have here at UNC Asheville, and we are glad she is a Bulldog!"
The Bulldogs open the 2025-26 season on Monday, Nov. 3 at home against Mercer.
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake, Kay Yow, former NC State University head women's basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on January 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to raising money for life-saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare, and uniting people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded $8.78 million in the fight against all cancers affecting women. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, or to donate, please visit KayYow.com.
About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank
First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
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Players Mentioned
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