Amber Aniston • December 9, 2024

St. John’s Defeats Virginia 3-1 to Continue Historic NIVC Run

The St. John’s volleyball team continued its historic postseason run with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Virginia in the Super 16 round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) on Sunday night at Memorial Gymnasium in Charlottesville, Virginia. With set scores of 25-21, 27-25, 23-25, and 25-20, the Red Storm earned their first-ever trip to the Great Eight of the NIVC, improving their record to 23-12 on the season.


Led by senior Giorgia Walther’s 21 kills and Erin Jones’ triple-double, the Red Storm showcased their depth and resilience against a Virginia team that concluded its season with a 21-11 record, its best finish since 2006.


Walther and Jones Lead the Charge

Giorgia Walther was the driving force for St. John’s, registering a match-high 21 kills while hitting at an impressive .341 clip. Her offensive dominance was complemented by Jones, who recorded her second consecutive triple-double with 16 assists, 13 digs, and 12 kills. The senior duo was instrumental in the Red Storm’s ability to withstand Virginia’s rallies and control the match’s critical moments.


Wiktoria Kowalczyk contributed a double-double with 31 assists and 10 digs, while Magda Stambrowska added 10 kills and two blocks. Rashanny Solano Smith anchored the back row with a match-best 23 digs, and Ludovica Zola dominated at the net with six blocks, tying Virginia’s Abby Tadder and Kate Dean for the match-high.


A Battle of Momentum Shifts

The opening set saw St. John’s assert itself early, breaking a 5-5 tie with a 6-2 run fueled by four Walther kills. Although Virginia clawed back to within one point at 15-14, the Red Storm closed the set with a 6-2 run to secure a 25-21 victory. Walther and Lodi led the way with five kills apiece in the first set.


The second set was a seesaw battle featuring seven ties and multiple lead changes. Virginia built a 16-11 advantage midway through the set, but St. John’s responded with a 9-4 surge, highlighted by Walther’s relentless attacking. With the score tied at 25-25, the Red Storm closed the set with two consecutive points, including a kill from Walther, to take a commanding 2-0 match lead.


Virginia refused to go quietly, taking the third set 25-23. The Cavaliers capitalized on a strong start from Tadder and a late 8-3 run to edge out the Red Storm and force a fourth set. The back-and-forth frame featured seven ties and four lead changes, keeping the crowd at Memorial Gymnasium on the edge of their seats.


In the decisive fourth set, St. John’s capitalized on Virginia’s eight errors to establish a slim 12-9 lead. After Virginia rallied to tie the set at 16-16, the Red Storm unleashed a decisive 5-0 run powered by Solano Smith’s serving. Despite a late push by the Cavaliers, St. John’s closed the match with three unanswered points to secure the 25-20 victory and advance to the Great Eight.


Virginia’s Season Ends on a High Note

Despite the loss, Virginia’s 2024 season was a significant step forward for the program. Freshman Becca Wight led the Cavaliers with a team-high 11 kills, matching her season-best. Defensively, Tadder and Dean were stalwarts at the net, each recording six blocks. Senior setter Brooklyn Borum also played a key role, delivering a match-high 35 assists.


The Cavaliers’ 21-11 record marked their highest win total since 2006 and included their first postseason appearance since 2015. Head coach Shannon Wells emphasized the program’s progress and expressed pride in her team’s growth throughout the season.


Looking Ahead

St. John’s will face a familiar foe in the Great Eight round of the NIVC, taking on BIG EAST rival UConn. Details regarding the date, time, and location of the match will be announced soon. With their confidence soaring and key players like Walther and Jones in top form, the Red Storm aim to continue their historic postseason run.


For Virginia, the focus shifts to building on the foundation established this season. With a strong core of returning players and valuable postseason experience, the Cavaliers are poised to remain competitive in the ACC and beyond.


A Historic Night for St. John’s

St. John’s victory over Virginia showcased the team’s grit, talent, and determination to make program history. As they prepare for the next stage of the NIVC, the Red Storm have proven they are a team to watch, capable of rising to the occasion against any opponent.

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