Terps Add Anastasia Russ
1/10/2022 9:44:00 AM | Volleyball
The Maryland volleyball program announced the addition of middle blocker Anastasia Russ on Monday, head coach Adam Hughes announced. Russ comes to College Park after two seasons with her hometown Pitt Panthers and she'll join the team immediately.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Anastasia to College Park, we believe she will be a perfect fit for our program," Hughes said. "Her recruiting process moved fast, but during that time we quickly learned that she aligned with our program's vision and values. Not only is Anastasia a great athlete and offensive weapon, but she's an exceptional student who has committed herself to the classroom. We look forward to having Anastasia join us in the Spring as we look to take our program to the next level."
Russ played in 12 sets across eight matches this past season as she accumulated 15 kills and seven blocks. The Panthers advanced to the 2021 Final Four this past December in their best season in program history. She was the 57th ranked prospect by Prep Volleyball coming out of high school as well as being a 2018 Under Armour All-American. Russ was a Three-time All-Section, All-WPIAL and All-State selection in high school.
Maryland is coming off a stellar 2021 season that was undoubtedly one of the best in recent history. The team's 19 wins were the most since 2010 and among those victories was an upset of eventual National Champion, and then-No.2, Wisconsin Badgers.
Russ' Bio
AS A REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE (2021): Part of Pitt's first NCAA Final Four appearance by a women's team in school history … Helped Pitt reach its sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, marking the program's longest NCAA postseason streak in history … Appeared in eight matches, making one start (Bowling Green, Sept. 11) … Recorded a season-best three kills in three matches, against Bowling Green (Sept. 11), Syracuse (Nov. 5) and at American (Nov. 9) … Killed two of three attempts in Pitt's NCAA First Round match against UMBC (Dec. 3) … Posted a season-high three blocks at American (Nov. 9) while killing 3-of-3 attempts … Averaged a hitting percentage of .591 for the season with 15 kills on 22 attempts.
AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (2020): Part of the Panthers' first NCAA Elite Eight appearance in program history, reaching the Regional Final as the final unseeded team in the field … Helped Pitt secure its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance … Posted a career-best four kills in the NCAA First Round against LIU (April 14) … Recorded a career-high seven blocks at Villanova (Feb. 14) … Appeared in eight matches, making two starts … Recorded at least one kill in all eight matches … Member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
AS A FRESHMAN (2019): Helped the Panthers earn their third consecutive ACC Championship with a perfect 18-0 record in conference play … Part of Pitt's fourth consecutive NCAA Second Round appearance … Did not compete in her initial college season … Member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Ranked 57th nationally by Prep Volleyball Senior Ace … 2018 AVCA Under Armour All-American … Three-time All-Section, All-WPIAL and All-State selection … 2017 Prep Volleyball All-American Special Mention … 2016 Hampton MVP, where Hampton won Section 3 and played in the WPIAL Championship … Played for Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Club … Member of National Honor Society and earned Highest Honor Roll every semester of high school.
PERSONAL: Born Aug. 2, 2000 … Daughter of Carol and Peter … Has an older brother, Alexander … Intended major is pre-medicine.
