Auburn volleyball will face St. John’s this weekend, wrapping up play at the Cardinal Classic in Louisville. Entering the tournament with a clean slate, the Tigers are 0‑0 to start their 2025 campaign after finishing last season 14‑13 overall and 4‑12 in SEC play. After closing 2024 with an 11‑match losing streak, Auburn looks to bounce back in a competitive non‑conference setting.
The Cardinal Classic includes a series of three matches, beginning with Louisville on Friday, followed by Morehead State on Saturday, and concluding with St. John’s on Sunday. These first two games will shape Auburn’s momentum for the rest of the tournament. The weekend offers Auburn the chance to face a wide variety of opponents.
The Tigers return several impact players from last season. Redshirt senior Liz Markovska posted 157 kills at 2.18 per set, while setter Shanelle Puetz recorded 749 assists, 211 digs, and six double-doubles with NCAA Tournament experience from FGCU. Bel Zimmerman added 269 kills, 70 blocks, and reached her 500th career kill, and sophomore Grace Havlicek earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after a .667 hitting, 10-block performance against Kentucky. Lauren Dreves contributed 201 kills and 279 digs with six double-doubles, and libero Zoe Slaughter averaged 1.67 digs per set and was named to the SEC Community Service Team..
Head coach Brent Crouch also welcomes several newcomers who could make a big impact in the upcoming season. Freshmen Audrey Nuckols, Baileigh Carlsen, Izzy Orton, and Greer Chambless headline the class, and their development will be key as Auburn seeks consistency throughout the season. Chambless arrives from Dallas with over 1,000 career high school kills and multiple All‑State and All‑District honors, adding more strength to the outside.
St. John’s ended the 2024 season with an impressive 21‑9 overall record and 9‑2 in Big East play. Coach Joanne Persico guided the Red Storm to their third straight 20‑win season and 13th consecutive appearance in the Big East Tournament, while the team also earned a spot in the NIVC. Standouts such as Erin Jones and Lucrezia Lodi earned postseason honors, including All‑Big East nods, and Jones set a conference record for triple‑doubles with eight in Big East play and totaled eleven on the year.
This final match against St. John’s will serve as a meaningful early test of the team's progress from last season. St. John’s brings a balanced and disciplined roster with both offensive leaders and academic rigor, making them a well-prepared opponent. The Tigers will look to leverage their returning veterans and rising freshmen to gain a fresh trajectory for the new season. If the Tigers can harness last year’s individual momentum and connect as a team, this matchup could be an important stepping stone heading toward SEC play.
First serve between Auburn and St. John’s is scheduled for Sunday at 12 p.m. CT in Louisville, closing out the Tigers’ weekend at the Cardinal Classic.
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