Seton Hall Falls 3-0 to St. John's in Big East Opener
The Pirates suffered a straight-set defeat in Queens, with St. John's dominating the final frame to secure the win.
Key points
- Seton Hall lost to St. John's 3-0 in the 2026 Big East conference opener.
- Alondra Villanueva recorded a match-high nine kills for the Pirates.
- St. John's dominated the third set with a 9-1 run to win 25-17.
Queens, N.Y. – Seton Hall’s women’s volleyball team lost its 2026 Big East conference opener on Wednesday. The Pirates fell to St. John’s 3-0 in a match played in Queens.
Junior Alondra Villanueva led the effort with nine kills. Yet the Red Storm controlled the pace, sweeping the sets 25-19, 25-18, and 25-17. The final frame saw a decisive shift in momentum.
Early Promise and Late Collapse
The first set started with a flash of brilliance. After a tie at four, the Pirates scored six of the next seven points. A block by Alex Rasmussen pushed them ahead 10-5. The net felt close, the air tight with possibility.
St. John’s answered with a six-point run. The Red Storm grabbed a 12-11 lead and never looked back. They closed the set with a five-point burst. The attack percentage told the story: .078 for Seton Hall, .243 for their rivals.
Timeouts Burned in Second Frame
Seton Hall trailed for most of the second set. A three-point run tied the score at 16. Hope flickered. Then St. John’s struck back with a 6-1 run. The lead swelled to 22-17.
The Pirates had to use both timeouts. Villanueva cut the deficit to 22-18 with a kill. But three straight points ended the set. The Red Storm won 25-18, extending their grip on the match.
Final Set Dominance
The Pirates took the first three points of the third set. The gym held its breath. St. John’s tied it at six. Then the Red Storm unleashed a 9-1 run. The lead ballooned to 19-11.
Seton Hall burned its last timeout. The momentum was gone. St. John’s finished with a 25-17 victory. Their attack percentage in the final set hit a match-high .343. The sweep was complete.
