St. John's Pioneers Volleyball
#PioneerEra
SJVB Photos:
Pioneer History:
League Championships:
2019
2021
2023
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State Quarterfinal Appearances:
2000
2002
2024
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State Semifinal Appearances:
2024
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State Championship Appearances:
None
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State Championships:
None
CURRENT ERA:
2025: TBA
2024: 9-11 (MIAA Round of 32)
2023: 18-5 (MIAA State Semifinalists)
2022: 10-10 (MIAA Round of 32)
2021: 11-3 (MIAA Central Quarter-Finalists)
2020: Cancelled2019-2010:
2019: 17-7 (MIAA Central Quarter-Finalists)
2018: 10-11 (MIAA Central 1st Round)
2017: 10-9 (MIAA Central 1st Round)
2016: 2-16 (No Playoffs)
2015: 6-12 (No Playoffs)
2014: 7-11 (No Playoffs)
2013: 4-13 (No Playoffs)
2012: 4-13 (No Playoffs)
2011: 6-16 (No Playoffs)
2010: 6-16 (No Playoffs)
2009-2000:
2009: 9-13 (No Playoffs)
2008: 9-12 (No Playoffs)
2007: 13-11 (MIAA Central 2nd Round)
2006: 13-7 (MIAA Central Quarter-Finalists)
2005: 10-11 (MIAA Central 1st Round)
2004: 13-8 (MIAA Central Quarter-Finalists)
2003: 12-12 (MIAA Central Quarter-Finalists)
2002: 17-6 (MIAA Central Finalists)
2001: 15-8 (MIAA Central Semi-Finalists)
2000: 17-7 (MIAA Central Finalists)
Pioneers survive battle with Titans
Pioneers escaped a trip to Algonquin on Friday night with a 3-2 win. With 5 starters inactive for the match, the Pioneers rallied with strong play from Phil Vignaly (19 kills) and Ani Vasudevan (10 kills) to get the win.
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Pioneers get back to .500 (3-3) with the win. ​
Pioneers hope to get some more people healthy as they play host to #16 BC High on Monday night for Rebel Night!
Pioneers finish 4th
After a tough start on Friday, the Pioneers showed a lot more fight on Saturday in the consolation match of the 2025 Pioneer Kick-Off Classic. St. John's would eventually fall to #7 Lexington 3-0 (18-25, 17-25, 18-25).
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Pioneers will get some reps in on Sunday as they prepare to host #6 Westfield on Monday night!
McGonagle New Kill Leader
Following a 9-kill performance against 7th ranked Lexington on Saturday, Francis McGonagle has surpassed the career kill record at St. John's. The record was previously held by Matt Deeley ('23) at 531. Saturday's finish puts McGonagle at 537 and counting.
Pioneers tabbed 17th in the MassHSVB Pre-Season Poll
As the season getting rolling, the Pioneers were picked as #17 this week in the 2025 MassHSVB pre-season poll. Pioneers have not been out of the poll since 2020.
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With a huge group of returners, this program has a lot of expectations. Led by a group of 10 seniors will look to reclaim the Catholic Conference title & work towards their 1st ever state title.
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St. John's will put their ranking to the test when they open up the season with a trip to #5 ranked Agawam as a part of the 2025 Pioneer Kick-Off Classic.
2025 Schedule Released!
Here we go! The 2025 schedule has officially been released!
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After a battle tested 2025 campaign saw the Pioneers season end at 9-11 in the MIAA Round of 32, St. John's will look to bounce back. With a group of 12 returning varsity lettermen, the Pioneers will look for surprise the Catholic Conference as they were picked #17 overall & third in the conference in the MassHSVB preseason poll.
Lead by 9 seniors, returning All-State player Francis McGonagle, standout middle Phil Vignaly & a slew of younger talent, the Pioneers will hit the gauntlet this year as they face off with one of the toughest schedules in the state. Pioneers will have 19 matches & the 2025 Rhody Invitational, which is headlined by four Top-5 matches as a part of their 14-ranked team (74%) game schedule.
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Head over to the Schedule Page to check out the full schedule!
McGonagle Earns All-State!
Pioneer's Francis McGonagle was selected as a 2024 MAVCA All-State team this past Saturday when the team was announced at the annual All-Star Game! Francis is the 5th All-State selection in school history & the 1st ever junior to receive this acknowledgement!
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Francis joins Senior Eric Barcelos who was selected as a Central Mass All-Star.
Congrats Eric & Francis!
Pioneers land 3 on Catholic Conference board!
Congratulations to Seniors Eric Barcelos & Suraj Marla and Junior Francis McGonagle on being selected as members of the 2024 Catholic Conference All-Star team this past week!
Pioneers fall to Lions in the round of 32!
Pioneers season came to a close at the hands of 12th seeded Chelmsford on Thursday night. After earning the 21st seed, the Pioneers traveled to Chelmsford in the 2024 MIAA Round of 32 match.
Pioneers showed fight as they finished out sets with strong pushes, but Lions were able to sweep the Pioneers to advance. St. John's finished out the season at 9-11.
Pioneers finish 2nd
Despite an 0-1 start to the 2024 season, the pioneers were able to battle back against Catholic Conference foes all season, including revenge on St. John's Prep to finish in 2nd place in the Catholic Conference. This is the 5th straight season that the Pioneers have finished in the top-2 in the conference!
Pioneers take 3rd in the 2024 ALS One Invitational
Pioneers hit the road to Winchester on Thursday & Friday to face off with #2 Needham, #7 Winchester & #18 Cambridge R&L. To open the tournament, St. John's took on Needham in a rematch of last season's state semifinals. Despite a hot start from SJ, Pioneers lost to the second-ranked Rockets 3-0. In match number two, Cambridge R&L faced off with Winchester, which saw the host team taking the match 3-0.
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Pioneers regrouped on Friday as they grabbed their 1st ranked win of the season 3-0 against #18 Cambridge R&L. Eric Barcelos shined with 21 kills, 6 aces, 9 blocks during the tournament which earned him a spot on the 2024 all-tournament team!
2024 Highlight Film: