St. John's University Athletics
Rastelli Named to AVCA EAST Coast All-Region Team, Walther Earns Honorable Mention
12/6/2022 10:58:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Rastelli earns third All-Region Selection
QUEENS, N.Y. (DEC. 6, 2022) – Graduate student Rachele Rastelli was tabbed to the AVCA East Coast All-Region team, and Giorgia Walther was selected as an Honorable Mention recipient, the AVCA announced on Tuesday morning.
Rastelli earns her third AVCA All-Region nod in her final season with the Red Storm. She also earned a unanimous selection to the All-BIG EAST team for the fourth time in her career, and was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. The Parma, Italy native finished third in points per set (4.20) and fourth in kills per frame (3.67) in the conference this season. She ranked in the top 40 in the country in both total kills (459) and total points (525.5). Rastelli led the team in points and kills per set this season.
The graduate student closes her illustrious St. John's career ranking in program's top five all-time in four statistical categories. Rastelli finished six kills short of tying the program record of 1,880 kills, second in total attacks (4,492), third in total blocks (403) and fifth in service aces (123). Rastelli's career accolades are highlighted by 2021 BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year, 2021 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, 2019 BIG EAST All-Tournament Team and a four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection.
Walther earns her first AVCA honor with the honorable mention selection. Along with this honor, the sophomore has also been tabbed a unanimous All-BIG EAST selection and CSC Academic All-District in the recent weeks. Walther was named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team in 2021, after a standout freshman season with the Red Storm.
The Cannobio, Italy native led the team with 463 kills this season, which was third best in the BIG EAST. Walther's 523.5 points and 4.20 points per set ranked fourth in the league. Nationally, Walther placed in the top 40 in kills and points. The sophomore was a three-time BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll Selection and was the Offensive Player of the Week on October 17th.
The two offensive weapons contributed heavily to a potent Red Storm offensive attack. The duo helped the Red Storm register the fifth most kills in the country. The Johnnies finished fourth in the BIG EAST in the regular season and made it to the second round of the NIVC before ending their 11th 20-win season with a 20-14 overall record.
