Erin Jones Makes History: St. John’s Star Joins Elite 1,000-1,000-1,000 Club

QUEENS, N.Y. — St. John’s University senior Erin Jones etched her name into BIG EAST Conference history on Thursday night, becoming just the second player in conference history to reach 1,000 kills, 1,000 digs, and 1,000 assists in a career. The milestone achievement came during the Red Storm’s match against Creighton at Carnesecca Arena, cementing Jones’s legacy as one of the most versatile and accomplished players in program history.

Jones is the first player in St. John’s volleyball history to accomplish the rare triple-1,000 feat, a testament to her exceptional all-around game and four years of relentless dedication to the Red Storm program.

The Epitome of DAWG Mentality

Erin Jones is the living embodiment of what it means to have that “DAWG” in you. When coaches, teammates, and fans talk about grit, relentless effort, and refusing to be outworked, they’re describing the mentality that Jones brings to the court every single day.

She doesn’t just play volleyball—she attacks it with a ferocity and determination that separates good players from great ones. Whether she’s diving for a dig, setting up a teammate, or hammering down a kill, Jones competes with an intensity that’s impossible to teach. That DAWG mentality—the refusal to quit, the willingness to do whatever it takes, the hunger to be great—is what has made her one of the most decorated players in BIG EAST history.

Jones personifies what it means when someone says an athlete has that DAWG in them. It’s not just about talent or statistics; it’s about heart, toughness, and an unbreakable competitive spirit. It’s staying up until midnight, sending hundreds of recruiting emails when other players would have given up. Waking up recording 1,000 kills, 1,000 digs, and 1,000 assists because you refuse to be limited to one role. It’s walking into a USA National Team tryout alone, without a single teammate by your side, and proving you belong.

That’s DAWG mentality. That’s Erin Jones.

A Milestone Four Years in the Making

The Albuquerque, New Mexico native has been a force for St. John’s since arriving on campus in 2022. Playing as both a setter and right-side/opposite hitter, Jones has redefined versatility in the BIG EAST, consistently filling the stat sheet across multiple categories and recording triple-doubles at a historic rate.

“To be honest, it was a goal I had. It was a number I wanted to hit, but it’s a testament to how much I’ve tried to work my butt off these past four years,” Jones said following the match. “I’m just grateful that I was given the opportunity to even play on the court and to reach those numbers. All of my achievements they go to coach (Joanne “JOJO” Persico); she let me be who I am and become the person I am, the player that I am.”

The emotion was evident as Jones reflected on her journey, pausing to collect herself as she expressed gratitude for the opportunities she’s received at St. John’s. That humility, combined with her relentless work ethic, defines the DAWG mentality that has carried her to historic heights.

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Record-Breaking Career Statistics

Jones’s career numbers tell the story of a player who impacts the game in every facet. Through her senior season, she has amassed over 1,000 kills, 1,000 digs, and 1,000 assists—a combination that requires elite skill, court awareness, and the ability to excel in multiple roles.

2024 Junior Season Highlights:

• Played in all 138 sets and started all 37 matches
• Unanimous All-BIG EAST Team selection
• Named to the AVCA North All-Region Team
• Led the Red Storm with 596.5 points, 504 kills, and 58 service aces
• Ranked second on the team with 316 assists and 405 digs
• Recorded 13 double-doubles and 11 triple-doubles
• Set BIG EAST single-season record with eight triple-doubles in conference play
• One of only four players in the nation to record 11 or more triple-doubles
• Surpassed 1,000 career kills against UConn (Oct. 12)
• Named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week three times
• Selected to the conference weekly honor roll six times

2023 Sophomore Season:

• Started all 35 matches, playing in 128 sets
• Unanimous All-BIG EAST Team selection
• Named to AVCA East Coast All-Region Team
• Led team with 508 points and 446 kills
• Recorded first triple-double in program history against Marquette (Oct. 14)
• Totaled 13 double-doubles throughout the season
• Named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 16)

2022 Freshman Season:

• Appeared in 63 sets across 27 matches
• Recorded first career double-double with 23 assists and 11 kills against Xavier
• Named to BIG EAST All-Academic Team
• Recorded double-digit totals in digs, kills, and assists 11 times

The Triple-Double Queen

Jones has become synonymous with the triple-double—a rare statistical achievement where a player records double-digit figures in three of five categories (kills, assists, digs, blocks, aces). Her 11 triple-doubles in the 2024 season tied her for fifth in NCAA Division I since 2014, and her eight triple-doubles in BIG EAST play alone set a conference single-season record.

The versatility required to achieve triple-doubles consistently is extraordinary. Jones must excel as a hitter, distribute as a setter, and defend as a back-row player—all within the same match. Her ability to seamlessly transition between roles has made her nearly impossible to game-plan against.

It’s that DAWG mentality that allows her to dominate in multiple facets. Most players specialize in one area. Jones refuses to be confined. She wants the ball in her hands when the game is on the line, whether that means delivering the kill, setting up a teammate for success, or making the defensive play that keeps the rally alive.

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2025 Senior Season: Still Dominating

Jones has carried her success into her senior campaign, continuing to lead the Red Storm while adding new milestones to her résumé. Early in the 2025 season, she was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week after guiding St. John’s to a 2-2 performance during the Jack Kaiser Volleyball Classic.

During the tournament, Jones averaged 3.23 kills per set, 3.69 assists per set, and 2.46 digs per set, earning her third career All-Tournament Team selection. She recorded two triple-doubles during the weekend—15 kills, 11 assists, and 10 digs against Marist, followed by 15 kills, 17 assists, and 12 digs against Delaware State.

Against Providence earlier this season, Jones posted a career-high 28 kills and an astounding 55 assists, showcasing her ability to dominate in multiple facets of the game simultaneously. Those numbers aren’t just impressive—they’re a reflection of a player who refuses to let her team lose without giving everything she has.

USA Volleyball National Team Experience

Jones’s excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed on the national stage. She has been invited twice to the USA Women’s National Team Open Tryout, competing against the nation’s elite players at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

“Originally, I wasn’t really sure about the program at first, but the first year that I went, it was definitely an amazing experience getting able to play at such a high level with so many players across the country that I hadn’t played against yet,” Jones explained. “I love the BIG EAST, but it was really cool to expand and see players from all over the country and get against people that I’ve seen on television. I’m like, dang, that’s Anna DeBeer, and now I’m playing on the same court as her.”

The experience of competing at the national team level provided Jones with a valuable perspective and helped build her confidence. As the only St. John’s player at the tryouts, she had to navigate the environment independently, surrounded by players who arrived with teammates.

“I think the first time it was a little bit scary and nerve-wracking. I think I would have loved to have a teammate there with me, because you see everyone else there and they all have teammates with them,” Jones said. “But I also think it was really a big learning experience for me. It was a growing moment for me to go out, do my own thing away from the team, away from anyone, and just be. I think it improved my confidence, just knowing I’m out here, I’m alone, and I know I can do this alone and independently.”

Walking into that environment alone and competing against the best players in the country? That takes DAWG mentality, that takes guts. That takes the kind of mental toughness that can’t be measured in statistics but shows up in every aspect of Jones’s game.

The tryouts serve as a pipeline for both the U.S. Women’s National Team and the U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team, and Jones’s invitations underscore her status as one of the top collegiate players in the country.

A Testament to Coaching and Opportunity

Throughout her career, Jones has credited St. John’s head coach for providing the platform and freedom to develop into the player she is today. The coaching staff’s willingness to utilize Jones in multiple roles—allowing her to hit, set, and play defense—has been instrumental in her success.

“It’s been amazing. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my four years under any other coaching staff,” Jones said. “She gave me the opportunity that I doubt any other coach would have ever given me on any other team in the U.S.”

That opportunity has resulted in a player who can change the complexion of a match in multiple ways. Whether the Red Storm needs a kill in a crucial moment, a perfectly placed set to a teammate, or a defensive dig to extend a rally, Jones has proven capable of delivering. And she delivers with the kind of competitive fire that elevates everyone around her.

High School Stardom in New Mexico

Before arriving at St. John’s, Jones was already a proven winner. At La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, she served as a two-time team captain and led her squad to three consecutive state championships. Her dominance earned her recognition as the best player in New Mexico by MaxPreps, and she was named a finalist for Gatorade Player of the Year.

Jones was also a two-time All-State First Team selection, named District II Player of the Year, and placed on the AVCA All-American watch list. Her high school success laid the foundation for her collegiate career, but getting recruited required persistence and determination—the same DAWG mentality that has defined her entire journey.

Advice for Future Recruits: DAWG Mentality Required

When asked what message she would share with high school juniors and seniors looking to play college volleyball, Jones emphasized the importance of proactive outreach and self-belief.

“Send as many emails as you can. I was staying up till midnight sometimes sending hundreds of emails to coaches, whether or not I thought I was good enough for the program or not,” Jones said. “You’d be surprised—a coach will see something in you that you might not have expected. It doesn’t matter if you’re undersized. Coaches see different things. Email, get yourself out there, and just keep balling.”

Her advice reflects the reality of college recruiting: talent alone isn’t enough if coaches don’t know you exist. Jones’s willingness to advocate for herself and reach out to programs ultimately led her to St. John’s, where she found the perfect fit. But more importantly, her advice reflects the DAWG mentality that every successful athlete must possess—the refusal to wait for opportunities to come to you, the determination to create your own path, and the grit to keep pushing forward even when the odds seem stacked against you.

“Just keep balling.” Three simple words that capture everything Erin Jones represents.

Off the Court: Biology Major with Bright Future

Beyond volleyball, Jones is a dedicated student majoring in biology. The daughter of Jamie and Derrick Jones, she has two siblings, Natalie and Allison. Her academic achievements earned her a spot on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team as a freshman, demonstrating her commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

As she prepares for life after St. John’s, Jones faces an exciting crossroads. Whether she pursues professional volleyball or continues her studies in biology, her work ethic, versatility, and competitive drive position her for success in any endeavor. That DAWG mentality doesn’t disappear when the uniform comes off—it’s a way of life.

Legacy of Greatness

Erin Jones will leave St. John’s as one of the greatest athletes in program history. Her combination of statistical achievements, individual accolades, and impact on winning is unmatched. She is a two-time unanimous All-BIG EAST selection, an AVCA All-Region honoree, and a multiple-time conference player of the week.

But beyond the awards and records, Jones has been a role model for young athletes everywhere—proof that hard work, versatility, and belief in yourself can lead to extraordinary achievements. Her journey from sending hundreds of recruiting emails to becoming just the second player in BIG EAST history to join the 1,000-1,000-1,000 club is a testament to perseverance and dedication.

Photo of Erin Jones

DAWG Mentality

Jones embodies what it means to have that DAWG in you. She’s shown an entire generation of athletes that greatness isn’t just about physical talent—it’s about mental toughness, relentless effort, and an unshakeable belief in yourself. It’s about refusing to be outworked, refusing to accept limitations, and refusing to quit when things get hard.

As the Red Storm continues its 2025 campaign, Jones remains the centerpiece of the offense, defense, and leadership. Every match brings new opportunities to add to her legacy, and every statistical milestone serves as a reminder of what’s possible when talent meets opportunity and an unbreakable competitive spirit.

For St. John’s volleyball, Erin Jones has been transformative. For the BIG EAST Conference, she has been historic. And for young athletes watching her journey, she has been inspirational.

She is the epitome of DAWG mentality, she is the standard. She is Erin Jones, she is HER.

“Just keep balling,” Jones said—a simple message that captures the essence of her remarkable career and the relentless competitive fire that has made her one of the greatest to ever wear a Red Storm uniform.

Erin Jones Career Accolades:

• First player in St. John’s history to reach 1,000 kills, 1,000 digs, and 1,000 assists
• Second player in BIG EAST history to join the 1,000-1,000-1,000 club
• Two-time unanimous All-BIG EAST Team selection (2023, 2024)
• AVCA North All-Region Team (2024)
• AVCA East Coast All-Region Team (2023)
• BIG EAST single-season triple-double record holder (8 in conference play)
• Tied for fifth in NCAA Division I with 11 triple-doubles in a single season (since 2014)
• Three-time BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week (2024)
• Multiple-time BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll selection
• Two-time USA Women’s National Team Open Tryout invitee
• BIG EAST All-Academic Team (2022)
• Multiple All-Tournament Team selections

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