HALL OF FAME FEATURE: Ruth Miller '94

Averett University women’s volleyball burst onto the scene in the early 1990s, and Ruth Miller was a catalyst for the program’s newfound success. From the moment Miller stepped on the court for the Cougars, the tide began to turn for what had been a middle of the pack team. Averett began to find itself at the very top of the league, competing for championships and NCAA Tournament berths year after year.

As part of the foundation for Averett’s years of volleyball success, Miller’s career is set to be honored as she is inducted into Averett’s Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 during Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 19.

Miller arrived at Averett for the 1990 season, and results immediately followed with her addition to the mix. The program reached new heights, more than doubling the win total from the previous year. Miller’s contributions to success were both instant and bountiful. The Winchester, Virginia, native made her way south to Averett and contributed in a big way, making huge contributions offensively and defensively. Miller finished her career with 681 kills on a solid .353 hitting percentage, as well as 114 service aces. She shone brightest defensively, however, totaling 1,482 digs and 300 blocks over her four-year career. Her digs tally has her ranked eighth all-time and fourth in the side-out era for the Cougars.

Miller is no stranger to receiving awards and honors for her on-court excellence. As a player she was recognized to two USA South All-Conference Teams, making the Second Team in 1992 and the First Team in 1993. Long after her playing days passed Miller was named to the USA South’s 50th Anniversary Team for women’s volleyball in 2013. 

“Somehow this seemed bigger,” Miller said when comparing her USA South accolades to her upcoming Averett Hall of Fame induction. “I don't know why, but this just seemed bigger just knowing that it's such a small select group that is selected.”

The success of the Cougars’ volleyball program came with Miller’s arrival, and lasted far beyond her graduation. In her time at Averett the team was dominant, posting a record of 99-39, with three conference championships in a four-year span. The program hardly dropped off afterward, going on to win championships and contend at the highest level of the sport for years to come. The Cougars’ run included an 18-year stretch from 1990-2007 where the team never finished with a record below .500, and tallied 12 total conference championships. 

“Averett volleyball has been so successful over the years,” Miller. “So it was just kind of an amazing feeling knowing the program continued to grow and get better.” 

Part of that growth was Miller’s oldest daughter, McKenzie, following in her footsteps and playing for Averett. 

“I always walked into the gym and I was like, ‘I was there for those first three banners,’” Miller said. “I always made sure to point that out. It’s kind of awesome knowing that we were part of the beginning of that legacy.”

The “we” is in reference to fellow 2024 Averett Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Melanie Stanley, who was teammates with Miller during her first few seasons at Averett. Stanley has been a figure in Miller’s life from her freshman year, to her wedding day, to their shared Hall of Fame honors and all along the journey in between. Part of this connection included some creative nicknaming courtesy of the upperclassman for the new freshman. 

“I was Peg Leg Rose,” Miller. “I pulled my groin, and so I would limp in and it looked like I had a peg leg. As a matter of fact my jacket that year, everything said Peg on it.”

Being more than four hours from home, it was important for Miller to make such a connection and find a second home at Averett.

“Being involved with athletics made it easier to get to know people, and I felt like it had a huge family type atmosphere,” Miller recalled of her first few months at Averett. “It was just a great place to be.”

Miller’s second family wasn’t confined to team members on the court. The late Barb Kushubar, who coached volleyball during that era, was beloved by so many in the Averett community, but for Miller it went a step farther. 

“I always considered her a friend, not just a coach. And not having any family in this area, she was family,” Miller said of Kushubar, who passed away earlier this year. “She was at my wedding, the birth of my children, she was always very supportive.”

From a lifelong connection with a coach and teammate, to a legacy of on court dominance, Miller’s mark left behind at Averett is rivaled only by the mark Averett left with her. Thirty years later, Averett is ready to welcome back a star that never truly lost touch with the program she was fundamental in helping build.