St. John's University Athletics
Volleyball Captures SJU Classic
SJU Defeats Vermont & Princeton
9/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Red Storm dropped the first game of the match, 18-30, before making a comeback in the second game to win, 30-19. With the match tied at one, the Red Storm made its move. Behind the efforts of junior Mischara Saunders (Norwalk, Calif./Long Beach City College), who notched six crucial kills in this game, SJU won the third game, 30-28. The fourth game was a back and forth battle between the two schools. Princeton emerged with the win, 30-28. The match was now tied at two heading into the fifth and final game.
With the adoption of new scoring rules for the 2001 season, the fifth game would be rally scoring to 15. From the point where the game was tied at 15, Princeton matched each St. Johns point with one of their own. St. Johns went ahead 28-27 on a kill from sophomore Rosalyn Dang (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou), who was named to the All-Tournament Team. For game and match point, sophomore Robyn Kuraski (Milliani, Hawaii/Maryknoll) set up junior Sarah McCrary (Walnut, Calif./Long Beach City College) for the kill. SJU won the final game, 29-27.
The Red Storm collected 79 kills and 124 digs in its win over Princeton. For the match, McCrary led the team with 21 kills and 40 digs while Dang pitched in with 19 kills, nine assists and three service aces. Saunders had 17 kills on the day with 11 digs. Kristy Mercein (East Meadow, N.Y./East Meadow) played outstanding, especially in the final game, receiving each Princeton attack cleanly and passing them off for the setter Kuraski. Mercein, 14 kills and 32 digs, was named MVP of the SJU Classic for her exceptional play.
In their first match of the day, SJU (7-1) defeated Vermont, 3-0 (30-10, 30-12, 30-25). The Red Storm got off to a great start in this match. Kuraski had the first 10 service points of the game, putting SJU ahead 10-0. As a team, the Red Storm hit 52.4% for the first game, committing just one error in 21 attempts.
After winning the second game, 30-12, Coach Joanne Persico-Smith decided to give some of her less-seasoned players a shot in the third game. Freshmen Ellen Gutor and Allison Heckl each picked up some valuable playing time in SJUs 30-25 win over Vermont. Gutor recorded a kill and Heckl notched seven digs. For the match, Dang chipped in 9 kills and six service aces while Mercein added five kills and 12 digs. McCrary continued to be impressive, contributing seven kills and seventeen digs.
The SJU Classic All-Tournament Team: Kelly Cramm, Princeton
Michelle Buffum, Princeton
Rosalyn Dang, St. Johns
Robyn Kuraski, St. Johns
Trisha Nunnenkamp, Fairleigh Dickinson
Eva Stefanac, Vermont
MVP: Kristy Mercein, St. Johns
The Red Storm return to action Tuesday, September 11 when they travel to Jersey City, N.J. to take on St. Peters at 7 pm.