Dara Russo was a late commit to USC Upstate and was lightly recruited out of Miamisburg, Ohio. She admitted there “was a lot of frustration” that her recruiting didn’t go the way she thought it might. She knew she was prepared to play at the next level—but maybe she was just missing something.

There were a lot of unknowns. A new coaching staff that didn’t recruit her. A program in the middle of a rebuild. Russo just wanted to contribute. To fit in.

Oh, she did a lot more than make the team.

She’s rewriting the record book.

In just three years, Russo has become USC Upstate’s all-time leading scorer, a two-time Big South Offensive Player of the Year, and the driving force behind the Spartans’ rise to the top of the conference.

From Dayton Roots to Spartan Green
Russo’s journey to Spartanburg started with family. Her cousin, Mia Raiff, played for Upstate several years prior, and that connection opened a door when other schools weren’t calling.

“I was having a hard time getting recruited by any other Division I schools,” Russo said. “I went to an ID camp at Upstate, and the coach at the time knew my cousin and recognized my name. I got offered after that camp.”

Soon after Russo committed, a coaching change brought in Sharif Saber. She wasn’t sure if her commitment would still stand—but Saber kept her in the fold. That decision altered the trajectories of both of them.

“My freshman year was his first year, too,” Russo said. “So we really grew into the program together.”

From Nervous Freshman to Offensive Powerhouse
Despite arriving with modest expectations—“I just wanted to play a little”—Russo made an instant impact, earning Big South Freshman of the Year honors in 2022.

But her biggest growth didn’t come from stats. It came from learning how to trust herself.

“I used to be so anxious about mistakes,” she admitted. “If I missed a shot or didn’t do something perfectly, it would get in my head. I’ve had to grow a lot with that—learning to move on and just play.”

That growth has translated into production. Russo followed up her freshman campaign with back-to-back Offensive Player of the Year honors, and in 2024, became the program’s all-time leading scorer. She’s now totaled 39 goals, 68 points, and over 3,800 minutes in her Spartan career.


A Leader in Every Sense
Russo has helped lead a turnaround in Upstate’s program. Once struggling to stay afloat in the Big South, the Spartans have become a perennial contender—and in 2024, captured the Big South Tournament title.

“Our freshman year, we definitely didn’t expect to be as good as we were,” she said. “Each year, we came back wanting more. Winning the conference made us want to feel that again.”

Coach Saber credits Russo not only for her on-field brilliance, but for her example as a teammate and leader.

“She’s not just one of the top goal scorers in program history,” Saber said. “She’s one of our all-time great teammates. Her daily grit, her ability to evolve, and the humility she brings—Dara shows that you don’t have to chase big-name schools to make a big impact. You just need the right fit and the right mindset.”

Beyond the Field
A communications major with a focus on public relations, Russo hopes to take the next step into the professional level after graduation.

“I’d like to play professionally for at least a couple of years, just to experience it and see what it’s like,” she said. “After that, I’ll look for a ‘real job,” as she chuckled.

Even with all her accolades, Russo hasn’t forgotten the feeling of being overlooked in high school—and she has advice for any athletes in similar shoes:

“Be patient. Trust the process. I was losing patience, but things worked out better than I could’ve imagined.”


What’s Next
Now entering her senior season, Russo and the Spartans are aiming even higher, to win the regular season. Win the tournament. Win in the NCAA postseason.

Individually, a third Offensive Player of the Year honor would be nice—but Russo is focused on team success.

And when asked what makes Upstate so special?

“The environment. We’re a family,” she said. “We’re like sisters. Off the field and on it, we’re inseparable. That’s what makes us strong.”

A Legacy in Motion
If Russo were to return as a coach, what would her pitch be to recruits?

“You can thrive here,” she said. “This is a place where you’ll grow, you’ll be challenged, and you’ll win. We’ve built something here—and I’m proud to have been a part of it.”

With one season still ahead, Dara Russo’s story isn’t finished. But her legacy is already secure