It doesn't happen very often where you have a student-athlete who just possesses that unique God-Given skillset and talent. A player that doesn't have to work very hard to look good. This player just happens to stand out because of not only her physical tools, but because of her willingness to come out on top and do whatever it takes to hold onto a W each week. This explanation fits the criteria perfectly of third-year sophomore Raevyn Russell. This is Russell's third season as a Blackhawk here at Southeastern Community College, and she has done nothing but prove to the community, conference, and volleyball world that she is something special each time she steps onto the court. She is an outside hitter that has that natural, smooth, and all-around ability. She can just flat out drill the ball over the net, get up in the air, and is very quick. Her feel for the game is at an elite high-level, and she is a spectacular instinctual athlete.
The SCC volleyball squad got the seatbelts fastened in tightly yesterday and made their way to South Holland, Illinois, for a two-day tournament against some fantastic teams. Russell headlines the trip for achieving a rare feat that will put her in the SCC athletic record books for good. Last night in SCC's match against South Suburban College, "Raebands," spent the majority of the match pounding the ball into SSC, and making the Bulldogs suffer minute after minute and set after set. She finished this match with seventeen total kills, which latches her up to the 1,000 total kill mark in her career. This is the number one record here for Blackhawk volleyball, and takes a thorough amount of dedication, ambition, and confidence.
Russell has put on a show here for SCC volleyball for three years now, dating all the way back to her first match in a Blackhawk uniform on September 25, 2020. There has been some growth, development, and improvement in all aspects of her game; however, she came into this program as an "already elite-level" outside hitter who can just take over a match and drain out opponents from all over the court.
The Blackhawks had a good tournament by going 3-1 against some skilled teams. They came out a little rusty last night with a loss to the North Park University JV team with a final score of 2-3. They turned things around and put a cherry on top of their sundae against South Suburban College with a 3-1 victory to close out the night. This morning, they put some destruction into the play of Joliet Junior College and came out victorious with a 3-2 win. They ended the tournament with a bang by defeating Lake Michigan College 3-0. Russell outrageously provided the offensive punch each match, and stood out as usual.
Glimpses and sights of greatness are truly set in stone for this SCC volleyball team. Coach Glass and staff are doing a tremendous job of making this program reach new heights and providing opportunities of possibly becoming a powerhouse one day. With that being said, this program would not be where it is right now without the presence of Russell. She has done some wonderful things for this program and college, and has not only been an influential student-athlete as a volleyball player, but also in the classroom and in her daily life. This is the definition of a true champion and winner, one that displays it all inside and out.
