Hughes and O'Brien Join 'Cuse Volleyball Family
11/11/2020 4:56:00 PM | Volleyball
Right side hitter Raina Hughes and setter Peyton O'Brien are the newest members of the Syracuse University volleyball program. They will both enroll at Syracuse in January 2021.
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Hughes led Williamstown High School (N.J.) to the 2019 NJSIAA Group 4 State Championship, recording 16 kills in the title match against North Hunterdon. She earned NJ.com All-State Third Team, All-Group 4 First Team, All-Gloucester County First Team and Olympic Conference First Team honors after posting 208 kills and 36 blocks for head coach Chris Sheppard and the Braves, who posted a 30-4 record. Williamstown finished the season ranked fifth in the state. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Williamstown did not have an opportunity to defend the state title in 2020.
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Hughes played for the East Coast Crush (ECC) Volleyball Club during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons and competed for the Eastern Volleyball Academy (EVA) in 2017, 2018 and 2020. The daughter of Devonia and Rasheen Hughes, Raina has one brother, Jalen, and one sister, Skya.
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During her four-year tenure at Libertyville (Ill.) High School, O'Brien recorded 1,542 assists, 305 kills, 201 blocks and 85 aces. Her assist total ranks second in program history. In 2019, the Chicago Tribune North Suburban Player of the Year posted 717 assists, 138 kills and 61 blocks leading led the Wildcats to the IHSA 4A Sectional Championship. A three-time team captain for head coach Greg Loika, O'Brien earned 2019 News-Gazette All-State Second Team and Daily Herald All-Conference First Team honors. In 2017, 2018 and 2019.
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O'Brien played for Sky High Volleyball Club for six years and for Adversity Volleyball Club for two years. The daughter of Jan and James O'Brien, Peyton has two sisters, Madison and Kendall.
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Hughes led Williamstown High School (N.J.) to the 2019 NJSIAA Group 4 State Championship, recording 16 kills in the title match against North Hunterdon. She earned NJ.com All-State Third Team, All-Group 4 First Team, All-Gloucester County First Team and Olympic Conference First Team honors after posting 208 kills and 36 blocks for head coach Chris Sheppard and the Braves, who posted a 30-4 record. Williamstown finished the season ranked fifth in the state. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Williamstown did not have an opportunity to defend the state title in 2020.
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Hughes played for the East Coast Crush (ECC) Volleyball Club during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons and competed for the Eastern Volleyball Academy (EVA) in 2017, 2018 and 2020. The daughter of Devonia and Rasheen Hughes, Raina has one brother, Jalen, and one sister, Skya.
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During her four-year tenure at Libertyville (Ill.) High School, O'Brien recorded 1,542 assists, 305 kills, 201 blocks and 85 aces. Her assist total ranks second in program history. In 2019, the Chicago Tribune North Suburban Player of the Year posted 717 assists, 138 kills and 61 blocks leading led the Wildcats to the IHSA 4A Sectional Championship. A three-time team captain for head coach Greg Loika, O'Brien earned 2019 News-Gazette All-State Second Team and Daily Herald All-Conference First Team honors. In 2017, 2018 and 2019.
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O'Brien played for Sky High Volleyball Club for six years and for Adversity Volleyball Club for two years. The daughter of Jan and James O'Brien, Peyton has two sisters, Madison and Kendall.
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