ITHACA, N.Y. -- St. John's claimed its second straight Big Red Invitational on Saturday evening at Newman Arena with a 3-0 sweep of Cornell. The Red Storm, Big Red and Buffalo all finished at 2-1 in the tournament, but the Red Storm won the highest percentage of sets (8-3, .727) to win on criteria to repeat as champions. Cornell dropped its first match of the year, falling to 2-1, while St. John's improved to 6-1.

Jada Stackhouse and Jenna Phelps each had nine kills to lead Cornell, with Phelps credited with seven block assists and Stackhouse earning six. Samanta Arenas had a strong all-around effort with six kills, 12 digs and five blocks, while Jillienne Bennett also had six kills and five blocks. Both Zoe Chamness and Katie Randolph had 14 assists and Lily Barber's 16 digs led three Cornellians with at least 10. Barber and Carla Sganderlla were both named to the all-tournament team.

St. John's hit .312 in the first set to claim a 25-20 victory, but Cornell's dominance at the net (13 team blocks) allowed the home team to get back into it. The Big Red led much of a back-and-forth third set, with the Red Storm squeaking over the line to get out with the sweep, avenging Cornell's 3-0 win from 2017.

All-tournament selection Nia Diaz and Hanna Wagner had eight kills apiece to lead St. John's, while Amanda Sanabia had a match-high 18 digs. Tournament MVP Erica DiMaulo had 31 assists and nine digs, spreading it around to four players who had at least seven kills in the win.

Cornell had more kills (38-37), digs (53-51) and blocks (13-9), but the Red Storm took advantage of a tough service game (five aces) and nine Big Red service errors to claim valuable points in the tough matchup.

Joining DiMaulo (MVP), Barber, Diaz and Sganderlla on the all-tournament team were Buffalo's Andrea Mitrovic and Megan Wemette.

The Big Red will compete in the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup at the University of Houston next weekend where it will face Lamar, Texas-San Antonio, Houston Baptist and the host Cougars.