St. John's University Athletics
Friday, September 26
Queens, N.Y. (Carnesecca Arena)
7 p.m.
St. John's University
4-10,0-1Big East
2
vs
3
Villanova
10-2,1-0Big East
1
2
3
4
5
F
Villanova
25
14
25
17
15
3
St. John's (NY)
20
25
17
25
6
2
Volleyball Falls to Villanova in Five Sets in BIG EAST Opener
9/26/2025 10:23:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Erin Jones ties career-high 23 kills
QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John's volleyball team (4-10, 0-1 BIG EAST) opened conference play with a five-set nail-biter against Villanova (10-2, 1-0 BIG EAST) on Friday evening at Carnesecca Arena. Senior Erin Jones matched her career-high in kills, leading all players with 23.
The match featured 23 ties and nine lead changes as the Red Storm fell in their second straight five-set contest. As a team, the Johnnies blocked a season-high 11 shots and recorded 50 or more digs for the third consecutive match. The set scores were 25-20, 25-14, 25-17, 25-17 and 15-6.
In addition to her 23 kills, Jones added 14 digs to secure her third double-double of the season. Martina Capponcelli set a career-high with 41 assists, the most of any player in the match, while Rashanny Solano Smith led all players with 17 digs.
Before first serve, the Red Storm displayed their NIVC Fab Four banner and held a moment of silence honoring DJ "DSPN" Southerland, a longtime supporter of St. John's Athletics.
In the opening set, St. John's struck first with two quick points before Villanova responded with a 5-0 run. The teams traded points to a 12-12 tie, but the Wildcats maintained a narrow edge before pulling away late for a 25-20 win.
The second set belonged to the Johnnies, who jumped out to a 6-1 lead. After Villanova answered with a 6-1 run of its own, St. John's built its advantage back to seven points at 19-12. Powered by Jones and Ana Franca Benjamim at the service line, the Red Storm closed on a strong run to take the frame, 25-14.
Villanova controlled the third set early, racing out to a 20-8 lead. St. John's clawed back behind Jones' aces and Chloe Bell's blocks, but the Wildcats held on for a 25-17 win.
In the fourth, the Red Storm regained momentum. Jones notched her 18th kill to push the lead to 12-9, and St. John's extended the gap to 19-12 before finishing on a 5-1 run to force a decisive fifth set.
The Wildcats came out firing in the final frame, using a 6-0 run to seize control. Despite burning both timeouts, the Johnnies could not recover, falling 15-6 as Villanova secured the 3-2 victory.
St. John's returns to Carnesecca Arena tomorrow for a 5 p.m. matchup with Georgetown. The Red Storm will celebrate Club Night, with all Club Volleyball members invited and two lucky winners receiving a free week of the 2026 St. John's Volleyball Camp.
The match featured 23 ties and nine lead changes as the Red Storm fell in their second straight five-set contest. As a team, the Johnnies blocked a season-high 11 shots and recorded 50 or more digs for the third consecutive match. The set scores were 25-20, 25-14, 25-17, 25-17 and 15-6.
In addition to her 23 kills, Jones added 14 digs to secure her third double-double of the season. Martina Capponcelli set a career-high with 41 assists, the most of any player in the match, while Rashanny Solano Smith led all players with 17 digs.
Before first serve, the Red Storm displayed their NIVC Fab Four banner and held a moment of silence honoring DJ "DSPN" Southerland, a longtime supporter of St. John's Athletics.
In the opening set, St. John's struck first with two quick points before Villanova responded with a 5-0 run. The teams traded points to a 12-12 tie, but the Wildcats maintained a narrow edge before pulling away late for a 25-20 win.
The second set belonged to the Johnnies, who jumped out to a 6-1 lead. After Villanova answered with a 6-1 run of its own, St. John's built its advantage back to seven points at 19-12. Powered by Jones and Ana Franca Benjamim at the service line, the Red Storm closed on a strong run to take the frame, 25-14.
Villanova controlled the third set early, racing out to a 20-8 lead. St. John's clawed back behind Jones' aces and Chloe Bell's blocks, but the Wildcats held on for a 25-17 win.
In the fourth, the Red Storm regained momentum. Jones notched her 18th kill to push the lead to 12-9, and St. John's extended the gap to 19-12 before finishing on a 5-1 run to force a decisive fifth set.
The Wildcats came out firing in the final frame, using a 6-0 run to seize control. Despite burning both timeouts, the Johnnies could not recover, falling 15-6 as Villanova secured the 3-2 victory.
St. John's returns to Carnesecca Arena tomorrow for a 5 p.m. matchup with Georgetown. The Red Storm will celebrate Club Night, with all Club Volleyball members invited and two lucky winners receiving a free week of the 2026 St. John's Volleyball Camp.
Team Stats
VU
SJU
Kills
50
48
Errors
27
24
Attempts
137
140
Hitting %
.168
.171
Points
72.0
68.0
Assists
48
46
Aces
8
9
Blocks
14
11
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
23
Aces
3
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S/RH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
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