St. John's University Athletics
Red Storm Sweeps Spring Tournament At Fordham
4/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
QUEENS, N.Y. -- St. John's was back in action over the weekend as the Red Storm won the Fordham University Invitational at the Rose Hill Gymnasium in the Bronx, N.Y. St. John's swept host Fordham, Monroe, and Army to finish the single-day tournament with a 6-0 record.
St. John's 2, Fordham 0
In the first match of the day, St. John's was in control throughout in a 2-0 (25-16, 25-12) victory against host Fordham. Three-time All-BIG EAST First Team member Karin Palgutova led St. John's with 10 kills and two blocks. Junior Yaidy Santiago also provided some offense as she finished with six kills and three aces. Sophomore Mona Karkkainen chipped in three kills and one block, while redshirt junior Melissa Chin returned to the court and picked up three digs after taking a year off. Redshirt freshman Hope Demel and freshman Raya O'Neal looked good orchestrating the offense and finished with a combined 20 assists. Demel led the squad with 11 assists, while O'Neal tallied nine.
St. John's 2, Monroe 0
The Red Storm then defeated Monroe, 2-0 (25-15, 25-16) for its second victory of the tournament. Demel and O'Neal once again shared setting duties and the freshman duo did not disappoint. Demel finished with nine assists and O'Neal dished out eight assists with a pair of service aces. Santiago led the squad with eight kills, followed by Palgutova, who finished with five kills. Redshirt sophomore Briana Guzman and freshman Julia Cast both finished with four kills. Redshirt sophomore Artiana Wynder was effective at the net and showed great springs in her legs. The Uniondale, N.Y., native finished with two blocks and two kills. Freshman libero Delaney D'Amore picked up three digs, while Chin showed off her impressive serving skills and finished with two aces.
St. John's 2, Army 0
St. John's won its last match of the day, defeating Army, 2-0 (25-20, 25-18), to win the Fordham University Invitational.  Palgutova led the attack with 10 kills, while Santiago and redshirt freshman Danisha Moss finished with six kills each. Santiago also registered three service aces. Defensively, Moss and sophomore Mona Karkkainen made their presence felt at the net. Moss had a team-high four blocks followed by Karkkainen with three. Demel and O'Neal both finished with 10 assists apiece, while D'Amore tallied two aces. Cast got in on the action as well as she finished with two kills and one block. St. John's has a bright future with several freshmen contributing this spring.
