Quincy University Hawks

2023 (Freshman): Did not see action.

Personal: Avaleena Stewart hails from Forsyth, Illinois, and is a proud student-athlete at Maroa-Forsyth High School, representing the Trojans. She comes from a rich lineage of athletes, including her great-grandfather Gordon Duff Stewart Jr., a football player at the University of Montana, and her grandfather Gordon Duff Stewart III, who played offensive line at Illinois State University, where he also served as co-captain in 1979. Additionally, her cousin Ashley Beyer had a decorated volleyball career, winning a national championship at Kishwaukee JUCO, earning Big East honors at Marquette, and playing professionally in Sweden, Switzerland, and Denmark. Another cousin, Justin Beyer, played soccer at North Central College.

Avaleena has excelled both academically and athletically. She was on the High Honor Roll all four years of high school, earned Academic All-Conference honors as a senior, and received multiple awards for her artwork, including first- and second-place ribbons at the Illinois Art Gallery.

Her volleyball journey has been impressive, starting with All-Macon County Honorable Mention as a freshman and progressing to All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention selections throughout her high school career. She helped lead her team to a regional championship in 2021 and achieved conference champion status in 2020. Playing for Illini Elite Volleyball Club, she competed at JVA Worlds in Louisville, winning a silver medal.

Off the court, Avaleena enjoys art, reading, and shopping. Her favorite athlete is Shaquille O’Neal, and has a deep passion for volleyball, having traveled across the United States, competing at a national level for five years with Illini Elite.

Why QU?
I chose QU because it is a small school that allows me to have closer relationships with my professor and is not too far from home. I fell in ove with the campus, community, and the overall environment. It truly felt like a home away from home.