St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Volleyball Announces Class of 2008
5/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
May 25, 2004
Queens, N.Y. - St. John's University volleyball Head Coach Joanne Persico-Smith announced the programs six member recruiting class today. The perspective student-athletes: Lisa Tedder, Jaclyn Kapovich, LaToya Blunt, Sherryta Stokes, Elizabeth Austin and Laura Sudano will begin play for the Red Storm in 2004.
Tedder, a 5'10 setter, comes to St. John's from Coos Bay, Oregon where she is currently a senior at Marshfield High School. In 2003 Tedder was named All-State first team and Co-MVP of the Mid-Western league. Tedder is currently the starting setter on the prestigious Webfoot Junior volleyball club 18 Gold team.
"Lisa is a fearless, experienced setter who will see playing time right away," said Persico-Smith of Tedder. "Her quick footwork and ability to run a quick offense will set her apart from her competition. Lisa is bright, athletic, determined, and experienced. We will look for her to establish herself as one of the leaders on this squad in 2004."
Blunt is a 6'1 right side/outside hitter from Vacaville, California. PrepVolleyball.com ranked her number 33 on their Top-250 Senior Aces list, which rates the top volleyball players in the nation. At Will C. Wood High School, Blunt led her team in kills with 321, in blocks solo at 26, blocks assisted at 36, and digs at 219, setting school records in each category. She ranked seventh in the Sacramento Area in kills with 14.0 per game and was named to the MEL All-League team in 2001-2003 and Optimist All-Stars in 2004.
"There is no telling how good LaToya can be. She has one of the best vertical jumps in California and for a woman who is 6'1, that puts her up into an elite category. We will look to LaToya to block and terminate the ball for us this season, on both the outside and right side."
Kapovich, a 6'0 middle blocker from Downers Grove, Illinois, comes to St. John's from Downers Grove South High School. There, Kapovich and her team won the Illinois State Championships in 2002 and sectional championships in 2003. She is also a member of the elite Sports Performance Volleyball Club 18-White team, one the top club teams in the country.
"Jackie is a hard working, aggressive middle who runs slides as well as anyone in the class of '04. Her abilities to see the block and to tool it will come in handy during BIG EAST play. She works hard on closing the block and we will be looking to her for some stability in the middle this year."
A 5'8 right side/setter from Beltsville, Maryland, Stokes comes to St. John's from Springbrook High School where she was a four-year starter. She was named to the Montgomery Journal All-County team, All-Gazette Girl's Volleyball team and Washington Post All-MET honorable mention team in 2003.
"Sherryta also has big hops! She will begin her Red Storm career as a right side blocker and back up setter; however, if she develops her ball control, she can move over to the outside where she can use her quickness and athleticism to create some havoc for opposing players."
Austin is a 5'10 outside hitter/libero from Kansas City, Missouri, where she attends Park Hill South High School. In 2003, Missouri Sports Online named her one of the top volleyball players in her area. Austin lead her team to the State Championships in 2003 where she received the Leadership Award, second team All-Conference and first team All-District accolades. Also a standout academically, Austin is a member of the National Honors Society and a three-year Academic Letter Winner.
"Liz is one of those young women that every coach dreams of having. Her work ethic and determination to succeed make her not only a standout on the volleyball court but in her community and in the classroom. We will look to Liz for her leadership capabilities and hope that her "refuse to lose attitude" permeates the squad."
Sudano, a 5'10 outside hitter from East Setauket, New York comes to St. John's from Ward Melville High School. In 2003, Sudano was named first team All-State and led the Patriots to a Class A State Championship. Sudano is also a two-year captain and two-time All-County selection.
"Laura is another hard working athlete who is determined to make a difference on our squad. Her athletic ability and experience make her one of the top volleyball players on Long Island. We will look to Laura to play various positions and roles on our team."
The Red Storm open the 2004 season at Fordham on September 1 and then will travel to East Lansing, Michigan where they will compete in the Coca-Cola/MSU Volleyball Classic on Sept. 3-4 where they will face Michigan State, Ohio University, and Florida A&M. Following the tournament, St. John's will return home for their 2004 home opener on September 7, against Stony Brook at 7 p.m.