The St. John’s volleyball team fell to sixth place in the Big East conference after going 1-1 at home this weekend. On Friday, they won 3-1 (25-23, 15-25, 25-22, 25-22) against Seton Hall (17-6, 5-5) while losing 3-2 (16-25, 25-18, 25-22, 26-28, 15-17) to Rutgers on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon’s game was televised live on ESPN3, the first instance that the Red Storm (18-9, 5-6) appeared on the program. Although the end result did not go in favor for the Johnnies, head coach Joanne Persico was adamant about the importance of the national exposure that her team received.

“We’re always excited to spread the word about volleyball on the East Coast,” Persico said. “We’re pleased that they decided to televise the game.”

Senior Sabina Piegza was also pleased that ESPN3 was at Carnesecca Arena to broadcast the match.

“It was really nice that they were here and people were able to watch us live,” Piegza said. “It was a privilege.”

After the Scarlet Knights (17-8, 3-7) took the first set (16-25), the Red Storm responded back by going on a 6-0 run in the second set. The Johnnies then continued to lead for the rest of the set and won 25-18.

The home side also won the third set. This set had more back and forth action than the previous two, but the Red Storm were able to hold their own and win 25-22 as the loud and energetic crowd cheered them to victory.

The fourth set was challenging for the Red Storm as Rutgers continued to score on the Johnnies’ match point. Rutgers eventually handed St. John’s a heart-felt defeat (26-28).

In the fifth and final set saw the Johnnies lose 15-17. There were 53 tied scores, along with 28 lead changes for all five sets.

The Red Storm only have four games left this season as the Big East Conference Tournament nears closer.
“I still cannot believe it’s almost the end,” Piegza said. “Every game is important and it does not matter if it is the first game I ever played here or the last game.”
The Red Storm will face Syracuse (10-15, 2-8) on Nov. 2.