Rebekah Farthing (left) and Chamblee Russell (right) join the Eagles in 2020.
Volleyball Adds Two to 2020 Roster
12/6/2019 3:54:00 PM | Volleyball
Rebekah Farthing and Chamblee Russell join the Eagle program.
STATESBORO – Georgia Southern volleyball coach Chad Willis announced today that Rebekah Farthing (Boone, N.C./Watauga) and Chamblee Russell (Acworth, Ga./Allatoona) have signed to play for the Eagles, beginning in the 2020 season.
"We're excited to announce two wonderful additions to our volleyball family for 2020," said Willis. "Recruiting is such an instrumental piece as we continue to lay the groundwork for the culture and vision of our program moving forward. We are confident Rebekah and Chamblee both will add immediate depth and talent to our returning squad but more importantly, are invested in our cornerstones and what it means to be great ambassadors for Georgia Southern University on and off the court."
Rebekah Farthing, 5-9, OH/DS, Boone, N.C./Watauga/Twin City Volleyball Academy
Lettered four years for coach Kris Hagaman at Watauga High School and played club for Justin Burgess and Jan Dowling at the Twin City Volleyball Academy • Tallied 321 kills, 162 digs, 27 blocks and 26 aces as a senior at Watauga • Named all-conference all four seasons, the Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 and the league's Player of the Year in 2019 • Also lettered in basketball and track • Three-year all-conference selection in basketball and earned all-league honors last season • National Honors Society • Mother, Angie, played basketball at Gardner-Webb • Sister, Sydney, is a senior on the Appalachian State volleyball team.
Willis on Farthing: "Clearly knowing Rebekah from our six years in Boone and having the opportunity first-hand to watch her grow and develop were a huge advantage during the recruiting process. Rebekah has a great touch and natural feel for the game. Her experience as a multi-sport athlete along with a strong competitive drive will make her a great fit. Because of her experience as a six-rotation pin, Rebekah adds versatility and depth both offensively and defensively for us but what stands out the most is the quality of person she is, which will allow her to make a lasting impact on this program."
Chamblee Russell, 6-1, OH, Acworth, Ga./Allatoona/TK
Earned four letters for Joe Soley at Allatoona, where she owns school records for single-season and career kills • 2019 Marietta Daily Journal/Cobb County Player of the Year and Georgia Volleyball Coaches Association Class AAAAAA Co-Player of the Year • Notched 697 kills, 285 digs, 63 aces and 35 blocks as a senior in leading the Lady Buccaneers to a 37-14 record and their first state title • Posted 38 kills and 16 digs in the state championship win over Sequoyah • Two-time Region 6-6A Player of the Year and first-team all-area • Named first-team all-state and All-Cobb County in 2018 • Collected 1,778 career kills • Played club for coach Marc Jones at TK Volleyball • Mother, Heather, and father, Russ, both attended Georgia Southern • Russ pitched for the Eagles in 1990 • Brother, Rett, plays football at Wofford.
Willis on Russell: "Since we first came across Chamblee last spring, our staff has really gotten to know a determined and talented outside hitter who we think is going to end up scoring a lot of points by the time she's finished here. One of our priorities in recruiting is to always identify and bring in local and regional talent. Chamblee has proven to be one of the top outsides in the state of Georgia from her high school and club experiences, and we are excited to see her reach another level here. Georgia Southern is in her family's roots and we look forward to her joining that legacy and making her mark here."
"We're excited to announce two wonderful additions to our volleyball family for 2020," said Willis. "Recruiting is such an instrumental piece as we continue to lay the groundwork for the culture and vision of our program moving forward. We are confident Rebekah and Chamblee both will add immediate depth and talent to our returning squad but more importantly, are invested in our cornerstones and what it means to be great ambassadors for Georgia Southern University on and off the court."
Rebekah Farthing, 5-9, OH/DS, Boone, N.C./Watauga/Twin City Volleyball Academy
Lettered four years for coach Kris Hagaman at Watauga High School and played club for Justin Burgess and Jan Dowling at the Twin City Volleyball Academy • Tallied 321 kills, 162 digs, 27 blocks and 26 aces as a senior at Watauga • Named all-conference all four seasons, the Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 and the league's Player of the Year in 2019 • Also lettered in basketball and track • Three-year all-conference selection in basketball and earned all-league honors last season • National Honors Society • Mother, Angie, played basketball at Gardner-Webb • Sister, Sydney, is a senior on the Appalachian State volleyball team.
Willis on Farthing: "Clearly knowing Rebekah from our six years in Boone and having the opportunity first-hand to watch her grow and develop were a huge advantage during the recruiting process. Rebekah has a great touch and natural feel for the game. Her experience as a multi-sport athlete along with a strong competitive drive will make her a great fit. Because of her experience as a six-rotation pin, Rebekah adds versatility and depth both offensively and defensively for us but what stands out the most is the quality of person she is, which will allow her to make a lasting impact on this program."
Chamblee Russell, 6-1, OH, Acworth, Ga./Allatoona/TK
Earned four letters for Joe Soley at Allatoona, where she owns school records for single-season and career kills • 2019 Marietta Daily Journal/Cobb County Player of the Year and Georgia Volleyball Coaches Association Class AAAAAA Co-Player of the Year • Notched 697 kills, 285 digs, 63 aces and 35 blocks as a senior in leading the Lady Buccaneers to a 37-14 record and their first state title • Posted 38 kills and 16 digs in the state championship win over Sequoyah • Two-time Region 6-6A Player of the Year and first-team all-area • Named first-team all-state and All-Cobb County in 2018 • Collected 1,778 career kills • Played club for coach Marc Jones at TK Volleyball • Mother, Heather, and father, Russ, both attended Georgia Southern • Russ pitched for the Eagles in 1990 • Brother, Rett, plays football at Wofford.
Willis on Russell: "Since we first came across Chamblee last spring, our staff has really gotten to know a determined and talented outside hitter who we think is going to end up scoring a lot of points by the time she's finished here. One of our priorities in recruiting is to always identify and bring in local and regional talent. Chamblee has proven to be one of the top outsides in the state of Georgia from her high school and club experiences, and we are excited to see her reach another level here. Georgia Southern is in her family's roots and we look forward to her joining that legacy and making her mark here."
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