A Penn State Volleyball Family: The story of Aaron and Peter Russell By: Madi Shutt The Russell Brothers When it comes to two brothers who play the same sport at the same university, almost immediately the question, which is better? comes to mind. For Penn State volleyball players, Peter and Aaron Russell, it is not about who can spike the ball harder or jump higher, it is about family, inspiration, and love for the game. Peter and Aaron were born 15 months apart to Stewart and Marian Russell in Ellicott City, Maryland. Even though they are only months apart there is no getting these brothers mixed up. Peter, a 6-foot-5 super-senior, is outgoing and can talk to anyone. Aaron is a 6-foot-9 senior who is more relaxed and reserved.
They currently reside in a one-bedroom apartment in State College, which Aaron keeps clean when they aren t in Maryland sharing a bunk bed. The Family From the moment they were born, Peter and Aaron began attending volleyball events. Both Stew and Marian played volleyball growing up and Stew was still heavily involved playing men s beach volleyball. Before having children, Stew attended Penn State University where he walked on to the men s volleyball team as a junior and met alumni Mark Pavlik. After playing three years, Stew was ready to graduate. Stew and Pav stayed close while they worked camps and clinics together, until Stew moved away to start a family. We did our own things for a while, but we tried to stay in touch, said Stew. Anytime we would connect, it was an old friends kinda thing, we would pick right back up. Pav knew that Stew would still remain in his life, even if it were running into one another at volleyball events. We would see each other at alumni events and when the kids started to play, I really took notice, said Coach Pav grinning. The kids would always be hitting the ball around after Stew s matches and running around. Stew credits his love of the game and skills to the teammates and coaching he had at Penn State saying he wouldn t have gotten to where he is without any of them. Once Peter and Aaron were born, it became a large responsibility of Marian to run the house; someone had to keep the boys in order.
Not only were there Peter and Aaron, but also three more boys, Samuel, 18, Tim, 15, and Paul, 12, came shortly after. People are always like poor mom, five boys, said Peter laughing. Mom just had to accept that we were going to do dumb stuff. Marian dealt with things like boys running home crying because they thought it was a good idea to have a sword fight with sticks. However, she was still very in touch with volleyball. When Peter and Aaron got a bit older, they would divide mom and dad and play two on two volleyball matches. Part of the reason they picked up the volleyball was because my wife and I played, explained Stew. They knew it from the beginning. The Brothers He has been my best friend since the day he was born, said Peter regarding his and Aaron s relationship. When it came to playing sports with the neighbors, Peter always made sure his younger brother was included. Aaron is very athletic because he was always playing with the older kids, said father, Stew. Peter would always ask if him and his brother could play. As they continued to grow up, Peter, 22, and Aaron, 21, spent almost every minute together. While they did have their occasional sibling fights, nothing seemed to keep the two apart. I remember this one time my mom told us not to go into a pond down the street, but Aaron, one of my friends, and I went to throw rocks in it. We had eventually had thrown
all the rocks and sent our friend in to get more. Unfortunately, he fell in the pond and we tried to come up with some elaborate story about how he fell in a puddle to tell our mom. But she knew we were lying, Peter said shaking his head. Like the rest of their lives, when it came to volleyball, nothing was different. The boys were inseparable. Before entering in middle school, Stew and close family friend, Ric Lucas, would bring boys from around the neighborhood together to play volleyball. The problem was when entering middle and high school; the school district did not have men s volleyball teams. The solution was to play club volleyball outside of school. Our dad coached us, said Peter. It was nice to have the whole family around. Like every other aspect in their life, the boys played together on the same team and like always, Aaron was playing up with the bigger kids. His friends were my friends, said Aaron confidently. We always played together and I think playing up an age group definitely helped my development. Once Peter entered Centennial High School, playing volleyball in college began to spark an interest. After coaching the club team for years, Stew took a backseat when it came to the college decision-making. I was hands off, I didn t wanna influence his decision, said Stew regarding Peters recruitment. I didn t want to be bias, so I gave him information and helped him with what questions to ask, but that was about it. When recruiting started, Coach Mark Pavlik from Penn State was very interested.
He had great instincts, said Penn State men s volleyball Coach Mark Pavlik. He understood team leadership and working hard and that made me want to recruit Pete. While everyone was excited about Peter going to college, it would be the first time the boys would be separated on and off the court. Finally, Peter had made a decision and Penn State, his father s alma mater, would be the college of his choice. I felt comfortable, said Peter. I saw how much Penn State influenced my dad and Coach Pav is great. So as Peter started his journey as a freshman at Penn State, Aaron began his adventure at choosing a college and this time Stew was even more hands-off. Aaron was being recruited by a lot of west coast teams, which are known for their outstanding men s volleyball programs, and of course by Coach Pav at Penn State. Everyday I would get a call from Peter, asking if I had decided where I was going to college, said Aaron with a smirk. It wasn t until senior year while Peter was away that Aaron finally made his decision. I really wanted to see them continue to play together, Stew admitted. They have something really special. According to Peter, younger brother Paul played a big part in the decision. I think a lot of the decision came from our younger brother Paul, Peter said smiling. He had mentioned to Aaron that by being at Penn State he d be closer to home and be able to play with me again. Aaron would be the newest member of the Russell family to attend Penn State.
We knew that Aaron would be something special, said Coach Pav nodding contently. Once Aaron and Peter began college, their youngest brother Paul took an interest in the sport. Paul is very competitive and athletic, Aaron explained. He currently is playing in a recreation league with girls, but he hasn t really decided whether he will play in college. Samuel and Tim have taken a different route focusing less on volleyball and more on other sports and activities. The Inspiration Having parents that both play volleyball is key to the Russell s love of the game. The inspiration for Peter and Aaron is their father. My dad helped me out a lot, when I started playing I played the same position he did, Aaron said shrugging. Stew not only walked on to the Penn State men s volleyball team, but he was named an All-American his senior year. My dad drove me to work hard because I was recruited and I know he didn t have the same opportunity, Peter said looking out on the Rec Hall court. He would have loved to play four years of volleyball here. Stew would give the boys advice as both a coach and a father as they grew up. Some of this advice has stuck with them to this day. I always told them to give your best and trust god with all the rest, Stew said about life.
His advice in volleyball stayed consistent with this telling the boys no matter what you re up against go out and give it your best. I hear his advice everyday, I think he is everyone s kinda role model, but he has definitely had the most influence on me as a person and a volleyball player, Aaron said calmly. Not only is Stew a role model, but Peter is too. Aaron looks up to Peter partly because they always did everything together and because of his success. I always had Peter there and we always did things together, Aaron said rubbing his dark brown beard. A lot of what I did growing up was because Peter was doing them. It s ironic how the inspiration and success has all come from within the family. Peter even mentioned how his youngest brother Paul, takes after Aaron and him because they are the oldest. However, the root of inspiration comes from Stew. I owe a lot to him, said Peter adjusting himself on the bleacher. He is selfless and humble. And one of the hardest working people I know. The Game The inspiration from Stew has pushed the boys to follow in their father s footsteps. In his freshman season, Peter appeared in eight matches totaling 34 kills, three aces, and 17 digs. He went on to play in 23 matches his sophomore year and tallied 126 kills, eight aces, 57 digs and 24 blocks. Peter was also named the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball
Association (EIVA) offensive player of the week and the Mike Anderson Player of the game twice in the 2012 season. He would go on to be named to the 2013 EIVA Championship All-Tournament team and Second Team All-EIVA. In his final season as a Nittany Lion, Peter went out with a bang with his brother by his side. He was named Second Team All-EIVA and was ranked third on the team posting 285 kills on the season. He would also have what he thought was his best game ever against Loyola in the national semifinal. Peter posted 15 kills and 10 digs, but it came down to the fifth set which set him apart from everyone else on the court. Despite a Penn State loss, Coach Pav thought Peter played his role perfectly and was everything you would want to see in a senior. I go back to our game against Loyola and in the 5 th set Pete got us 3 digs to get us back in that game, said Coach Pav staring into space. He blocked well, his attacking was timely and very efficient. It was everything you d want to see in a senior so they could walk out with their head held high. Coach Pav not only mentioned the Loyola game, but he said that final five weeks of Peter s senior season was when he shined and thought his performance was very underrated. From the start of his career at Penn State, Aaron stood out. In his first season he was named First Team All-EIVA, EIVA player of the week, EIVA Championship All-Tournament Team, and like his brother awarded the Mike Anderson Player of the Game award. Aaron played in 28 matches posting 203 kills, 92 blocks, 25 aces, and 44 digs.
Over the next season, Aaron would be given multiple awards for being outstanding player. In his final season with Peter in 2014, Aaron tallied 421 kills, 69 aces, 200 digs, and 46 blocks. Once again he was named an EIVA All-American and numerous player awards. However, his greatest accomplishment may be making the 2014 U.S. men s national team where he was the youngest teammate to win a gold medal. I think Aaron s best games are still in front of him, explained Coach Pav. He has really worked hard at becoming an outside hitter and is a major part of the leadership here at Penn State. The Future As they move forward in their collegiate and volleyball careers, things have changed. Peter has exhausted his eligibility and took the fall semester to be an assistant undergraduate coach. This job entails things like managing inventory, organizing videos, and cleaning out closets. He is also learning how to scout with video with Colin [an assistant coach], listen to video review with Jay [an assistant coach], and get a feel for what goes into coaching behind the scenes, Coach Pav said adjusting in his seat. However, Coach Pav and Stew agree that Peter s number one goal of the fall semester is school and finishing his degree. On the other hand, Aaron is about to enter into the biggest season of his volleyball career.
According to Coach Pav, Aaron will be one of, if not the best outside hitter in the country. Meaning everyone knows he will get the ball, so the question waiting to be answered is how will Aaron cope with the pressure. The pressure of expectations can prohibit success, said Coach Pav in a soft tone. His biggest role will be being the best Aaron Russell he can be and giving the team all he can everyday. This will also be the first season Aaron is playing at Penn State without Peter by his side. Give 100% and pick up the difference, was the advice given to the boys from their father. Stew hopes the boys will be able to stay together in the next chapter of their lives. He is amazed at how well they compliment one another and how interactive their relationship has become over the years. Peter is beginning a new journey into coaching and Aaron is finishing up his final season and semester at Penn State. Wherever the brothers end up, I can assure you, they will never be too far apart. It has been a 30-year process for me watching the family grow and the boys grow, said Coach Pav slightly choked up. Stew and Marian have their hands filled with all the boys but they do a great job. Who knows, maybe in a few years, Paul will be the next Russell to enter Happy Valley as a Penn State men s volleyball player. Tweet: A Penn State Volleyball Family: The story of Aaron and Peter Russell