Super 16 (Dec. 8) - St. John's 3, Virginia 1

ST. JOHN’S 3, VIRGINIA 1 (25-21, 27-25, 25-23, 25-20)
 
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia Cavaliers (21-12) began its postseason journey with a bye, but matched up against a red hot St. John’s (23-12) squad in the 2024 NIVC Super 16 on Sunday, the first time the two schools ever faced off in program history.
 
The Cavaliers, making their third postseason appearance in program history and led by head coach Shannon Wells is in her fourth season at the helm, improved their 2023 record by 10 wins.
 
St. John’s, coming off a straight-set sweep of North Carolina A&T, 3-0, on Saturday made their third-consecutive appearance in the NIVC Super 16, set the tone early.
 
The Red Storm came out firing and fended off a Virginia comeback effort, taking the opening set 25-21.
 
The second set was nail-biter start to finish. In what appeared to be UVA evening the match early, St. John’s kept it close in crunch time, going up 2-0 in the match, with a 27-25 win.
 
The Cavaliers, up against elimination, took the third set 25-23, bringing the match to 2-1.
 
The Red Storm bounced back in the fourth and final set to secure their spot in the NIVC Great 8, with a 25-20 on the opposing team’s home floor.
 
St. John’s Giorgia Walther was the standout player of the match with 21 kills, 41 attacks, and 22 points. Wiktoria led the way for the Red Storm with 31 assists.
 
Abby Tadder and Kate Dean both tallied 6 blocks for Virginia.
 
St. John’s moves onto the 2024 NIVC Great 8 and will face off against UConn out of the Big East for a chance to move onto the NIVC Fab 4.