2008 Woodie Awards
Red Storm triumphs under Persico-Smith
Gerard Fitzgerald, Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Sports
After back-to-back Big East titles and an impressive 2007 NCAA Championship run, St. John's volleyball coach Joanne Persico-Smith has turned the Red Storm women into a household name.
Her volleyball days began at the tender age of nine with a local CYO team in her native Bellerose. It would be the beginning of a good relationship between her and the sport, as Persico-Smith went on to later play her college ball at Syracuse.
In 1994, she interviewed for the vacant coaching position at St. John's, and soon became the school's first fulltime female coach.
Over the next several years, Persico-Smith used her great eye for talent and knowledge of the game to turn a fledgling volleyball program into one of the nation's premier teams.
Senior Wioleta Leszczynska explained what separates Persico-Smith from other coaches.
"I think she is not only just coaching us as a team, but she also is a friend," said Leszczynska. "Whenever you have a problem or a hard time with something, [coach Persico-Smith] will always listen to you and help with the solution. I don't think that other coaches care like she does"
Leszczynska, the 2007 Big East Tournament MVP, largely credits her coach with her development as a player.
"We understand each other very well since we are both setters. She gives me great advice during the games and she's a great person that you can always count on."
The most triumphant moment of Persico-Smith's coaching career came in 2006, when the school was invited to its first ever NCAA Tournament.
"One moment that still gives me goose bumps was in 2006," said Persico-Smith.
"The team and my staff were waiting in the media room to see if our name would be called to participate in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. All of a sudden they announced 'St. John's from Queens' and turned over the 'block' with our name appearing on ESPN News. We all jumped up and hugged [each other]. It was our dream to be recognized nationally."
Her volleyball days began at the tender age of nine with a local CYO team in her native Bellerose. It would be the beginning of a good relationship between her and the sport, as Persico-Smith went on to later play her college ball at Syracuse.
In 1994, she interviewed for the vacant coaching position at St. John's, and soon became the school's first fulltime female coach.
Over the next several years, Persico-Smith used her great eye for talent and knowledge of the game to turn a fledgling volleyball program into one of the nation's premier teams.
Senior Wioleta Leszczynska explained what separates Persico-Smith from other coaches.
"I think she is not only just coaching us as a team, but she also is a friend," said Leszczynska. "Whenever you have a problem or a hard time with something, [coach Persico-Smith] will always listen to you and help with the solution. I don't think that other coaches care like she does"
Leszczynska, the 2007 Big East Tournament MVP, largely credits her coach with her development as a player.
"We understand each other very well since we are both setters. She gives me great advice during the games and she's a great person that you can always count on."
The most triumphant moment of Persico-Smith's coaching career came in 2006, when the school was invited to its first ever NCAA Tournament.
"One moment that still gives me goose bumps was in 2006," said Persico-Smith.
"The team and my staff were waiting in the media room to see if our name would be called to participate in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. All of a sudden they announced 'St. John's from Queens' and turned over the 'block' with our name appearing on ESPN News. We all jumped up and hugged [each other]. It was our dream to be recognized nationally."
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