St. John's University Athletics
Rachele Rastelli Signs First Professional Contract in Italy
7/12/2023 11:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Four-time All-BIG EAST selection begins her professional career with Volley Melendugno
QUEENS, N.Y. – Following a standout five-season career with the Red Storm, Rachele Rastelli has signed her first professional contract with Italian volleyball club Volley Melendugno.
Rastelli left Queens as one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history. Over the course of her career, Rastelli picked up a 2021 BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year honor, four All-BIG EAST Team selections and four BIG EAST All-Academic Team nods. The Parma, Italy native is also a three-time AVCA East Coast All-Region Team recipient and a 2021 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention.
In her final season as a Johnnie, Rastelli helped lead St. John's to its 12th 20-win season in program history, making appearances in both the BIG EAST Tournament and the NIVC Tournament. The Red Storm took down Binghamton in straight sets behind a 10-kill performance to earn the program's first NIVC victory.
In 2022, she led the Red Storm with 525.5 points (39TH in NCAA), while amassing 459 total kills (43rd), which contributed to St. John's potent offense that recorded the fifth-most kills in the country.
Rastelli enjoyed an illustrious career at St. John's, ranking top five all-time in four statistical categories. finished second all-time in kills (1,874), second in total attacks (4,492), third in total blocks (403) and fifth in service aces (123).
