Nov. 2, 2001

Box Score

Jamaica, N.Y. --- On Friday, Nov. 2, the St. John's Red Storm slipped past the Villanova Wildcats in five games in a Big East match played at Alumni Hall in Jamaica, N.Y. Scores for the match were 30-24, 22-30, 30-28, 23-30 and 13-15.

Trailing 3-0 in the first set, the Wildcats stormed back rallying together a 9-2 run to gain a lead that would never distinquish. Leading 25-23, two kills from senior hitter Dana Jones (Mt. Kisco, N.Y./ Fox Lane) and freshman Kerri Sullivan (Downers Grove, Ill./ South) boosted the 'Cats to the eventual game one victory.

The Red Storm dominated the second set as Villanova was plaqued by offensive inconsistency. After junior hitter Leah Mathews (Poway, Calif./ Our Lady of Peace) served up a Villanova ace to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead, St. John's would go on to out-score the 'Cats 22-7 and even the match at 1-1.

With the score tied at 18 in game three, Sullivan and freshman setter Jennifer Badran-Grycan (Santa Monica, Calif./ Palisades) recorded two consecutive blocks to break open the game and shift the momentum Villanova's way. The Red Storm managed to tie the game again at 28 until a Sullivan tip fell through setting up game point. On the ensuing play, Badran-Grycan and Jacqueline Fugiel (Roscoe, Ill./ Hononegah) assisted on a block that gave the Wildcats the 30-28 win and a 2-1 advantage.

St. John's held a comfortable lead throughout game four without any threat by the Wildcats. Senior hitter Kristy Mercein and Rosalyn Dang tallied three kills apiece to lead the Storm to the victory and force the decisive final game.

In the last game with St. John's leading 13-9, the Wildcats fought to cut the lead to within two points on yet another Kerri Sullivan kill. However, an attack error by the 'Cats cut short any chance Villanova had of a comeback victory as the Red Storm squeaked out their fifth Big East win of the year.

Offensively for Villanova, Jones was outstanding as she recorded a career-high 21 of 44 kills for a .318 hitting percentage. Kerri Sullivan continued her stellar play in the loss for the 'Cats connecting on 17 of 33 attempts for a .394 percentage.

Mathews and sophomore Jennifer Edwards (Valencia, Calif./ Valencia) tallied 17 digs on the defensive end as Badran-Grycan registerd a double-double with 16 digs in addition to a team-high 45 assists.

With the loss, Villanova drops to 6-15 on the season and 1-8 in Big East play as the Red Storm improve to 17-7 and 5-4 in conference action.

The Wildcats with return to action this Sunday, Nov. 4 when they travel to South Orange, N.J. to battle the Seton Hall Pirates in a Big East contest. Match time is slated to begin at 1:00 P.M.