St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
Iona
Palgutova Leads Red Storm In Sweep Of Iona
9/18/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 18, 2012
QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's improved to 13-3 and collected its tenth sweep of the season by downing Iona in straight sets on Tuesday night at Carnesecca Arena (25-13, 25-16, 25-16). Despite winning each set by at least a nine-point margin, the Red Storm had to bounce back from early deficits in all three sets. By going on runs of at least seven straight points in every set, St. John's successfully distanced itself from Iona (4-9). The Red Storm's largest streak of unanswered points came on a 9-0 run in the second set.
After being named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday, freshman Karin Palgutova followed up by leading the Red Storm in kills (14) and service aces (3) in the 3-0 win over the Gaels tonight. The rookie also added eight digs and a pair of blocks.
Palgutova, who was also named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week in week two, clinched the victory with a match-ending kill in the third set. Senior Sabina Piegza, who had 31 helpers tonight, assisted her on the play. Piegza has dished out at least 20 assists in 15 of 16 matches this season and is now 193 helpers away from moving into seventh-place on the all-time assists list.
Both senior Gabriela Petkova and freshman Shawna-Lei Santos registered 11 digs and a service ace. The Red Storm is now 6-1 when the duo collects double-digit digs.
Santos, senior Milica Krstojevic, and sophomore Aleksandra Wachowicz all picked up eight kills while the team hit to a .295 attacking percentage. Iona, meanwhile, was held to just a .011 attacking percentage.
UP NEXT
St. John's will continue the homestand by opening up BIG EAST play with a match against Georgetown (6-7) on Fri., Sept. 21 and a match against Villanova (5-8) on Sun., Sept. 29.
