St. John’s University volleyball opens its season on the road with back-to-back, talent-packed tournaments. The Red Storm kick things off tomorrow at the Louisville Invitational against Morehead State, followed by matchups with Auburn on Sunday and Louisville on Monday. After that, they head to the Hawaii Invitational on Thursday to face Utah Valley, San Jose State, and RV Hawaii.
“We’re making some big trips for the next couple of weeks,” said senior Erin Jones, a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Big East Team for the second consecutive year. “It’s a great way to start off the season because we’re going to be playing really high level competition that we don’t normally get to play. We’re playing really awesome teams, which is going to be beneficial to us.”
In her fourth and final season at St. John’s, Jones has seen her skills and confidence grow with each year. “I felt I had to earn and show that I wanted a spot on this team,” she said. “When I was given an opportunity to play on the court, I went out there with the mentality of it doesn’t matter if I have as much experience as everyone else, I’m going to show them that I can compete and play. Now, being a senior and having that experience to back me up has made a world of difference in not only my playing but being able to help the other girls on our team.”
In terms of being a senior leader, the setter/right side hitter sees herself as the energy hype leader. “That person on the court who is cheering every single point, and who likes to set the standard when things aren’t maybe going that well and getting us back up to still compete,” Jones said. “There are two things we can control, and that’s energy and effort.”
Jones is a biology major with a chemistry minor. Her long-term goal is pharmacy school, but her plan after graduation next spring is to play professionally. She is open to one of the pro volleyball leagues in the U.S. or to going overseas. “I want to see how far I can push my body in this sport that I love,” she said.
The volleyball team opens home play on Sept. 12 against Marist and West Virginia. Big East action starts on Sept. 26 at home against Villanova.