Kyle Russell

Born: Kyle Elton Russell (1993) in Sacramento, Calif.... Parents are Craig Russell, Lisa Russell-Artale and Christopher Artale... Has three older sisters: Jamie Russell (1991), who was a middle hitter at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, Meghann Palazzo (1989) and Kate Jongsma (1991)... “I admire my parents for always being there for me and supporting me in everything I do. I admire my sister Jamie for being a great friend, mentor and the reason I started playing volleyball.”

• Member of 2019 NORCECA Championship team that finished 2nd in Manitoba, Canada
• Played in the 2019 Volleyball Nations League preliminary round
• Member of the 2018 and '19 Pan American Cup teams
• Selected to the 2013 U.S. Men's Junior National Team
• 2010 AVCA First-Team Boy's High School Senior All-American
• 2011 Co-MVP of the Sierra Foothill League and three-time first team honoree
• 2011 All-Metro Boys Player of the Year and All-City Team
• Selected to 2011 Sacramento Optimist All-Star team
• Volleyball Magazine 2011 Fab 50 and second team All-American
• 2011 High School Boy Athlete of the Year

Kyle wanted to quit volleyball the first two weeks he started playing.

“Growing up, I was forced to go to my sister’s volleyball tournaments, and one day her coach approached me asking if I’d like to try out for a boy’s club team.  I did, and for first two weeks of practice I didn’t like it and wanted to quit.  Then, one day everything just clicked, and I found I excelled at playing and really fell in love with the sport.  I always thought I would play basketball in college; however, after playing both basketball and volleyball in high school, I decided my true love was volleyball and that that’s what I wanted to do in college.  I owe my love for volleyball to my sister.”