QUEENS, N.Y. – The crux of the 2025 volleyball season is upon us as Villanova volleyball kicks off BIG EAST play this weekend with a trip to the New York metropolitan area.

The Wildcats (9-2, 0-0 BIG EAST) will take part in the conference lidlifter on Friday evening at St. John's before squaring off in South Orange on Saturday afternoon against Seton Hall. Villanova is 10-8 in BIG EAST openers under head coach Josh Steinbach, including a pair of victories over St. John's in league lid lifters (2010 and 2014).

KNOWLEDGE ON NON-CONFERENCE    
The non-conference wrapped up on Saturday with VU's best 11-game record since 2019 to follow up the most wins in a row to start a season (eight) since 2005. The 'Cats ended up dropping two of the matches in the final weekend but built momentum heading into BIG EAST play with a five-set victory over reigning AAC champion Wichita State. Through three weekends, Villanova had more match wins (eight) than sets lost (seven) and ended the non-conference with three sweeps, a trio of four-set victories and three five-set dubs to finish the preseason with a total record of 9-2.

COMMON COMPETITORS FOR THE 'CATS    
Two of the most frequent opponents in Villanova volleyball history appear on the opposite bench this weekend as the 'Cats begin their BIG EAST slate with trips to St. John's and Seton Hall. The Wildcats own a four-game lead over the Johnnies in the all-time series, holding a 24-20 edge. VU has dropped the last three after a 2023 regular season win, falling short in five sets in October 2024 despite a season-high in blocks then again in four frames in November in spite of 14 rejections. The Pirates are the most often-played opponent in VU history and the 'Cats own a 46-20 advantage all time with wins in 10 of the last 12. Villanova took down SHU in the opening BIG EAST weekend last year led by a 17-kill double-double from Abby Harrell.

RELIABILITY FROM THE LATEST RECRUITING CLASS    
This year's crop of freshmen has gotten contributions from all members of the recruiting class, including three starters in the most recent matchup. Reagan McGivern is the team leader in blocks with a .388 hitting percentage out of the middle, Ava Harris has over 230 assists while playing significant time in every match, Marikate Ritterbusch has nearly 50 digs as a starting libero in each outing and Mina Diggs saw her first consistent time last weekend with 13 digs vs. WSU.

READ INTO THE RED STORM

• The Johnnies have begun the season with a mark of 4-9, notching defeats of Marist, Delaware State, Le Moyne and Siena despite losing the first six outings of the season.
• St. John's was projected to finish fourth in the BIG EAST preseason poll, one spot ahead of the Wildcats, after ending last year in the NIVC Fab Four. 
• The Red Storm are led by two-time unanimous All-BIG EAST selection Erin Jones (145 kills, 153 assists, 19 aces, 114 digs) while Rashanny Solano Smith is the team's digs leader and a preseason all-conference selection.

SHARING ABOUT SETON HALL

• The Pirates earned a 6-5 record to open the 2025 slate, owning sweeps over UT Martin, Iona and Central Connecticut State with other victories over Saint Peter's, Harvard and Coppin State.
• SHU was given the eighth best projection in the league's preseason poll, exactly the same as last year's finish after wrapping up 2024 with just 12 wins though half came in BIG EAST play.
• First-year hitter Sadie Reich leads Seton Hall and ranks sixth in the league for kills per set (3.71), libero Rylee Nelson contributes over four digs per period and Asli Subasili has 46 total blocks on the year.

Each matchup will feature stats courtesy of StatBroadcast and streaming available on ESPN+.