St. John's University Athletics
SJU VOLLEYBALL PICKED SIXTH IN BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL
7/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
St. Johns is coming off one of the most successful seasons in the programs seven-year history. The Red Storm, who posted a 25-8 overall record a year ago, finished in a tie for fourth place in the conference standings and just missed a berth in the 2000 BIG EAST Tournament.
SJU returns seven letterwinners from that squad, including 2000 Northeast Region Freshman of the Year Robyn Kurasaki. A native of Milliani, Hawaii, Kurasaki inherited the starting setter role and led the Red Storm to a school-record 25 victories. She recorded 1,370 assists, the second-highest single season total in SJU history.
Also returning is senior outside hitter Kristy Mercein, who led the squad in digs in 2000 with 409 and was fourth on the team with 266 kills.
The Red Storm open the 2001 season at the Buffalo Tournament in Buffalo, N.Y. when they take on Canisius on August 31 at 5:00.
2001 BIG EAST Volleyball Preseason Poll 2000 2000 2000 Team BIG EAST Overall Reg. Season Pts.1. Notre Dame (11) 11-0 26-7 1st 1432. Pittsburgh (2) 8-3 22-10 3rd 1233. Rutgers 9-2 23-7 2nd 1194. Connecticut 7-4 20-13 tie-4th 1135. Georgetown 6-5 16-13 tie-6th 1046. St. Johns 7-4 25-8 tie-4th 837. Syracuse 6-5 24-10 tie-6th 808. Virginia Tech N/A 13-16 N/A 679. Boston College 4-7 13-17 8th 5910. Seton Hall 2-9 10-19 tie-9th 4211. West Virginia 2-9 8-17 tie-9th 3812. Villanova 2-9 9-21 tie-9th 2313. Providence 2-9 16-15 tie-9th 20
