Volleyball to Host DePaul and Marquette in Homestand Opener

QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John's volleyball team (5-12, 1-3 BIG EAST) prepares for a BIG EAST homestand over the next five days, with two matches this weekend. On Friday night, DePaul (9-6, 2-2 BIG EAST) makes its way to Queens for the first of two meetings with the Red Storm this season at 7 p.m. The following day, Marquette (9-5, 3-1 BIG EAST) will serve as the middle match of the homestand at 5 p.m.

Friday's match will air on ESPN+ with Nick DeLuca and Paige Band on the call. Saturday's contest is set to air on YouTube Live, as Cam Manna calls the match.

Entering this weekend, Head Coach Joanne Persico is two wins away 600 career victories. Persico, in her 32^nd season at the helm, ranks 16th among active head coaches in career wins. She is the winningest head coach at a single BIG EAST program.

Standout Erin Jones was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for her efforts last weekend. The senior delivered a career-high 28 kills, along with 14 assists and 16 digs, marking her fifth triple-double of the season against Providence. The following day, she notched 21 assists and 14 digs for her fifth double-double of the season in a 3-1 against UConn.

St. John's earned its first BIG EAST win of the season last weekend in a 3-1 victory over Providence. On Friday night the Red Storm delivered a hard-fought victory over the Friars, in a match that featured 37 ties and 18 lead changes. In addition to Jones' heroics, Martina Capponcelli notched her first career double-double with 23 assists and 15 digs, while Rashanny Solano Smith anchored the back line with 21 digs.

DePaul currently checks in at seventh in the BIG EAST with a 2-2 conference record. The Blue Demons have a strong 4-2 road record and will play their first conference road matches. Last weekend, DePaul dropped both contests to Creighton and Marquette, taking a set off the Bluejays before falling, 3-1, and suffering a 3-0 loss to the Golden Eagles.

Defensively, DePaul ranks second in the BIG EAST with 14.69 digs per set. Four players have eclipsed 100 kills, led by Kendall Timme and Morgan Stewart with over 160 each. Setter Amanda Saeger paces the offense with 457 assists, good enough for 8.02 assists per set and sixth in the league. Eva Hurrle leads the defense with 284 digs, while Jade Epps anchors the net with 1.08 blocks per set.

Marquette boasts a 3-1 conference record, sitting fourth in the standings. The Golden Eagles play their first true road match in over a month, last competing away from home on Aug. 29—a 3-2 win at Hawaii. Last weekend, Marquette went 1-1 at home against DePaul and Creighton.

League-leader Natalie Ring headlines the offense with 230 kills, averaging 4.60 per set. Freshman setter Isabela Haggard ranks second in the BIG EAST with 10.02 assists per set. Hattie Bray leads the blocking efforts averaging 1.04 blocks per set, and Adriana Studer has tallied 192 digs. Head Coach Tom Mendoza, in his first season with Marquette, previously led the University of South Carolina and High Point.

St. John's closes out its homestand against Seton Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 14. First serve against the Pirates is set for 12 p.m., as schools from the surrounding area are set to make their way to Carnesecca Arena for Field Trip Day. If your school is interested in attending, please email redstormsports@st.johns.edu for more information.

Volleyball to Host DePaul and Marquette in Homestand Opener

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Martina Capponcelli

Erin Jones

St. John's University Athletics