One of my main improvements has been being more confident in myself. I was able to step into a leadership role for the team.”

Clare Green

From the moment she took the court for her first Division III volleyball match at Cornell College, Rochelle Township High School alum Clare Green has been a consistent contributor at a high level. That trend continued into Green’s junior season, where the former Lady Hub standout eclipsed 1,000 assists for the third straight year to lead her team into the NCAA tournament.

Green started all 31 matches at the setter position during the 2023 season, finishing with 1,048 assists while adding 71 kills, 33 total blocks, 27 service aces and a career-best 274 digs. The RTHS alum helped lead Cornell College to a 23-8 overall record as well as the Midwest Conference regular season and tournament championships for the third consecutive season.

“One of my main improvements has been being more confident in myself,” Green said. “I was able to step into a leadership role for the team. I want to continue to grow in my confidence and leadership abilities with the team and I want to keep improving my setting abilities so I can help my hitters even more. Our goals for next season are to win another conference championship and make it even further into the national tournament. We’re hoping we can go on a run.”

With Green setting the tone for the offense, Cornell College advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, defeating Millikin before falling just short in a 3-2 loss against No. 5 Northwestern, who Cornell defeated in a 3-2 thriller during the regular season. The NCAA tournament appearance capped off a stellar junior season for Green, who received several accolades including All-Midwest Conference First Team and All-Region First Team honors.

Green was also named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American for the first time in her collegiate career. Additionally, Green took home Cornell College’s Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award as well as the volleyball program’s Best Possible Effort Award. Green’s effort and consistency have been on display since she arrived on campus, as the former Lady Hub has amassed 3,159 assists along with 780 digs, 204 kills, 121 total blocks and 87 aces at Cornell.

“Whether I’m going into the gym for a practice or a game, my mindset is that I’m going to give 100 percent, even if it’s only 100 percent of what I have for that day,” Green said. “I think of the gym as my stress relieving zone and I want to be in there getting reps in and putting the work in… I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived at college, but it’s been everything I could’ve imagined. I couldn’t have imagined it would go this well and it really feels like home now.”

Green’s high motor and consistent play on the court have been evident since her days as a freshman at RTHS, when she first earned her varsity role with the Lady Hubs. Green spent all four years of high school with the varsity volleyball team, earning All-Conference honors over her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Green, who dished out over 1,400 assists during her high school career, will now be gearing up for her fourth and final season at Cornell College.

“It’s been an awesome experience at Cornell,” Green said. “We’ve had a lot of fun playing volleyball and doing well. Our coach has recruited girls who’ve become my best friends because we get along so well… Playing at Rochelle taught me how not to be afraid and I learned that I would get noticed if I put in the work, even as a freshman. I worked hard through adversity and even when we weren’t winning games, we worked hard and we stuck together as a team.”

A three-time Academic All-MWC honoree and a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, Green is currently double majoring in finance and Spanish while minoring in statistics at Cornell College. Green, who’s currently working an accounting internship in Mount Vernon, Iowa, intends on graduating with her bachelor’s degree next spring and pursuing a full-time career.