Warrensburg, Missouri, senior earns weekly award for first time after 2-0 week
EASTON, Mass. (October 12, 2021) – Stonehill College senior defensive specialist Carly Russell has been named the Northeast-10 Conference Libero of the Week, the league office announced today.
Russell, who earns NE10 Libero of the Week honors for the first time in her career, was a key component to Stonehill's 2-0 week by averaging 5.22 digs and 0.22 service aces per set as the Skyhawks extended their winning streak to seven matches. She totaled 20 digs and dished out eight assists in Tuesday night's 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 25-10, 25-21) non-conference win at Southern Connecticut State University. Russell followed that up with 27 digs, two service aces and an assist in Saturday's comeback from two sets down for a 3-2 (17-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 20-18) triumph at Franklin Pierce University. It marks her fourth 20-plus dig performance of the season, giving her seven for her career.
Russell ranks sixth among NE10 dig leaders and earns NE10 Libero of the Week honors for the first time (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard) |
Russell has appeared in 59 sets in 17 matches played this season for Stonehill and ranks sixth among NE10 leaders with her 4.42 digs per set, while adding a team-best 0.37 service aces per set. She matched her career-best with 31 digs at Daemen College on September 18 and served up a career-high five aces in a three-set win over D'Youville College on September 17.
Russell has appeared in 248 sets over 69 career matches played in her four seasons at Stonehill, totaling 699 digs (2.82 per set), with 57 service aces (0.23) and 70 assists. She has been named to the NE10 Academic Honor Roll and Athletic Director's Honor Roll multiple semesters at the College, while also being named to the Dean's List. Russell is currently in her second year as president of Stonehill's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), having represented the volleyball program on the committee all four years and serving as team liaison for Team IMPACT for three. She received her Class Leadership Award as a sophomore and has volunteered her time with My Brother's Keeper and Ace's Girls.
Stonehill (12-5, 3-0 NE10) is back in action on Friday, when it visits Southern New Hampshire University for a non-conference match in Manchester, New Hampshire, at 5 p.m. The Skyhawks return home on Saturday night to host Saint Michael's College for their Dig Pink Match at Merkert Gymnasium at 6 p.m. The team is taking donations for the Side-Out Foundation and its Dig Pink program online, as well as at the match.
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