The St. John’s Women’s Volleyball team entered November with two wins secured, one against UConn on Oct. 31 and the other against Providence on Nov. 1.

The Red Storm had also won their previous 3-1 game against the Friars earlier in the season. That win, as well as the one from the previous evening, fueled the Johnnies into securing another victory after a long, back-and-forth battle. 

From the starting set of the game, it was clear that both teams came to play, with some of the starting lineup for St. John’s being Erin Jones and Martina Ghezzi, both known for their good technique and high stats. 

The first set started with both teams tied 1-1, remaining neck-and-neck even through a five-minute timeout where the score was 5-5. Ghezzi and Jones had great impacts on this set with their mixed dynamic. Although St. John’s did win the first set (25-22), Providence was right behind them the whole time. 

However, unlike earlier this season with the Friars, they refused to go quietly as they clapped back harder from the last set. Back-to-back, Providence continued to fire back at St. John’s, strengthening the tension as they continued with matching scores. 

During the first timeout, the Friars began to show that they were leading 8-5. Chloe Bell and Jones showed they are a great blocking duo as they blocked three spikes back-to-back. Still, with St. John’s averaging 17 kills on 50 total attempts, it was not enough to beat Providence, who won the set 25-18.

Set three was the most intense set of the game, making the pressure even worse on the Johnnies as both teams continued to trade points with Providence always seeming one step ahead of St. John’s. 

At a technical timeout to determine which team should be awarded the point, it only led to more suffering for St. John’s as the point was given to Providence, making the score 16-12. Thankfully, Ghezzi was able to secure a kill, giving the team a 25-24 advantage. The final block of the set earned St. John’s the win of set three, 26-24.

It seemed as if Providence winning set four against St. John’s gave the Johnnies the focus for set five. 

The beginning of the fifth set started with Providence scoring first and St. John’s firing back, beginning a dominating lead against Providence that started 5-2, thanks to Ella Parker. St. John’s continued their lead, having a 12-7 advantage following a second called timeout. To end the night, St. John’s won the sudden-death set 15-10. 

With only four games left, November could be the turning point for St. John’s Women’s Volleyball as the Big East Tournament approaches.  

The final sets were 22-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-21 and 15-10.

Alumni Celebration

Between the second and third sets of the Women’s volleyball game was the annual alumni celebration, where more than 15 women joined together on the Carnesecca court. It brought players from different eras all together for the same reason: the love of volleyball.

During the touching and heartwarming ceremony, each returning alumni was recognized as their name and jersey number were read aloud. As each athlete came forward, they were recognized with warm cheers, clapping hands and a single rose as a symbol of admiration.

When asked about how she feels about being invited back as an alumna, Dawn Burke replied, “ It’s great that Jojo invites us back year after year; we have our own little family.” Especially since Burke is one of the charter members from the beginning, coming back to support her. 

Paula McClory, who was also a former player on the Women’s volleyball team, talked about how she felt knowing Coach Joann’s character. 

“We are so excited for Jojo; she always gives a lot of credit to everyone else, but she has always maintained the program’s highest reputation,” McClory said. “We are really fortunate to be able to constantly come back and support her and the current team.”

600 career wins

Another big win for St. John’s Women’s Volleyball was the celebration of Coach Joann Persico’s 600 career wins, which was earned after the win against UConn the afternoon before. Before the game tipped off, the Red Storm celebrated Coach Persico with a slideshow showing all the years she has dedicated to the sport, both as a coach and as an athlete.

“I feel great because it’s the program’s 600 career wins; that is what’s special about it,” said Persico. “All the wins came from St. John’s, and all the players got it, so we are grateful for all the players that played for me and for us, my staff, and everyone that’s a part of it.” 

After the slideshow ended, Coach Persico threw hearts into the crowd. The celebration for Coach Persico wasn’t just by fans and athletes, but also by multiple generations of alumni who came to congratulate her. 

“It’s not just my 600th, but St. John’s Volleyball’s 600th; it takes a lot of us to make this happen,” added Coach Persico.” I’m really grateful to them; we had our alumni here today, and they were out in full force.”

With this being her most recent achievement, it can definitely be said that Coach Joann defies greatness. Not only as a coach but as a mentor who continues to celebrate the women that she coaches and has coached.