St. John's University Athletics
Joanne Persico Signs Three Players to 2020 Recruiting Class
6/24/2020 2:33:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Laura De Pra, Amariis Garcia and Eleonora Tosi enter their first season with the Red Storm this fall
QUEENS, N.Y. (June 24, 2020) – After capturing the BIG EAST Volleyball Tournament Championship and leading the program to its third-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019, Head Coach Joanne Persico has signed three newcomers to her 2020 roster.
Laura De Pra, Amariis Garcia and Eleonora Tosi will enter their first season with the Red Storm this fall.
"I have always tried to identify and recruit talented players that are capable of being great in New York City," said Persico. "I look to bring in tough and smart players that are eager to play in a diverse and exciting environment. Our three recruits this year come from strong families that believe in the core values that our program is built on. Laura, Amariis and Eleonora have a high volleyball IQ and a strong drive to succeed both on and off the court. We are excited to have them join our reigning BIG EAST Tournament champion team and can't wait to see what they achieve in the next few years."
De Pra comes to Queens as a junior transfer setter, playing two seasons for Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kan. In her two years with the Saints, De Pra racked up 2,778 assists, the second-most in program history. The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native recorded 1,403 assists, 194 digs, 50 kills, 48 blocks and 29 service aces across Seward County's 34 matches in 2019.
De Pra averaged 12.53 assists per set this fall to earn All-American honors from both the NJCAA and AVCA. She also helped lead the Saints to a 32-3 record and the 2019 NJCAA Division I Volleyball Championship match. De Pra posted an undefeated conference record in her two seasons with Seward County and secured a First-Team All-Conference nod last season.
Garcia is a middle blocker who hails from the Aloha State, joining a long list of St. John's standouts from Hawaii including star setter Robyn Kurasaki, two-time BIG EAST regular season champion Lena Yee and current Red Storm libero Sheena Yoshioka.
On Oct. 16, 2019, the Honolulu native notched 10 kills and eight blocks for Moanalua in the OIA Division I Championship. Garcia's defensive presence throughout the year helped her rack up a slew of postseason awards, earning selections to the Eastern Division I All-Star Team, Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I All-Tournament Team, OIA Division I First-Team, 2019 Honolulu Star Advertiser All-State Fab 15 and Scoringlive's All-Hawaii Division I Team. In 2017, Garcia also helped Moanalua take home the 2017 OIA Division I Championship, recording two of the team's six blocks.
Tosi comes to St. John's as an opposite hitter from Novellara, Italy. In 2019, she played for the Exacer Montale volleyball club in the Italian Women's Volleyball Serie A1 League.
Laura De Pra, Amariis Garcia and Eleonora Tosi will enter their first season with the Red Storm this fall.
"I have always tried to identify and recruit talented players that are capable of being great in New York City," said Persico. "I look to bring in tough and smart players that are eager to play in a diverse and exciting environment. Our three recruits this year come from strong families that believe in the core values that our program is built on. Laura, Amariis and Eleonora have a high volleyball IQ and a strong drive to succeed both on and off the court. We are excited to have them join our reigning BIG EAST Tournament champion team and can't wait to see what they achieve in the next few years."
De Pra comes to Queens as a junior transfer setter, playing two seasons for Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kan. In her two years with the Saints, De Pra racked up 2,778 assists, the second-most in program history. The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native recorded 1,403 assists, 194 digs, 50 kills, 48 blocks and 29 service aces across Seward County's 34 matches in 2019.
De Pra averaged 12.53 assists per set this fall to earn All-American honors from both the NJCAA and AVCA. She also helped lead the Saints to a 32-3 record and the 2019 NJCAA Division I Volleyball Championship match. De Pra posted an undefeated conference record in her two seasons with Seward County and secured a First-Team All-Conference nod last season.
Garcia is a middle blocker who hails from the Aloha State, joining a long list of St. John's standouts from Hawaii including star setter Robyn Kurasaki, two-time BIG EAST regular season champion Lena Yee and current Red Storm libero Sheena Yoshioka.
On Oct. 16, 2019, the Honolulu native notched 10 kills and eight blocks for Moanalua in the OIA Division I Championship. Garcia's defensive presence throughout the year helped her rack up a slew of postseason awards, earning selections to the Eastern Division I All-Star Team, Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I All-Tournament Team, OIA Division I First-Team, 2019 Honolulu Star Advertiser All-State Fab 15 and Scoringlive's All-Hawaii Division I Team. In 2017, Garcia also helped Moanalua take home the 2017 OIA Division I Championship, recording two of the team's six blocks.
Tosi comes to St. John's as an opposite hitter from Novellara, Italy. In 2019, she played for the Exacer Montale volleyball club in the Italian Women's Volleyball Serie A1 League.
Players Mentioned
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