Ponaganset High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Induction Class of 2015
Elizabeth Lawrence Russillo
Athlete
Class of 1998
Tennis & Softball
Elizabeth Lawrence was a four-year varsity member of both the tennis and softball teams at Ponaganset High School. In addition to athletics, Elizabeth was also well rounded in academics and other activities. She was an honor roll student who participated in Students Against Drunk Drivers and was an oboist in the school’s Concert Band.
While on the diamond, Elizabeth played slow-pitch softball during her freshman and sophomore years as a pitcher. When the league switched to fast-pitch, Elizabeth continued her work on the mound while also playing third base. As a captain her senior year, she earned all-division honors at third.
On the tennis courts, Elizabeth was unstoppable. As quoted by her coach, Kathy Hazard, “She’s an all-court player. She loves the baseline, and she likes the challenge.”
Elizabeth began her high school legacy as a freshman when her victory in the finals served as the deciding match, pushing Ponaganset to its first-ever tennis championship. She moved from playing No. 3 singles to playing No. 1 singles by her junior year, compiling an overall record of 60-6 while being voted as the team’s Most Valuable Player two years in a row. Elizabeth also earned several all-division titles and was recognized as a Woonsocket Call All-Star selection. She earned second team all-state accolades her sophomore and junior years and earned first team all-state honors as a senior. She ended her high school career ranked fourth in the state.
After graduating from Ponaganset in 1998, Elizabeth played tennis for Russell Sage College. She started all four years, setting the single-season program record for singles wins. She was inducted into the Russell Sage College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
Elizabeth currently teaches Chemistry at Smithfield High School and lives with her husband Steven and two daughters, Gabriella and Brooklyn. She continues to play softball and tennis competitively today.