St. John Brings Local Flair to SEMO Volleyball Program
8/20/2026 10:19:00 AM | Volleyball
By: Peter Leithauser
Stretegic Communications Graduate Assistant
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – For Katy St. John, Southeast Missouri has always been home.
The standout from nearby Jackson didn't need other offers to know this is where she wants to be.
"I'd say the biggest turning point in my volleyball career is when I committed to be a Redhawk," St. John said. "It felt like home and I wasn't really looking at anything else besides SEMO."
St. John grew up just 10 miles down the road from Cape Girardeau. While added pressure comes with being an area athlete, St. John uses that as motivation.
"I always want to compete for the girls that go to Jackson and play for Cape Girardeau's Pursuit Volleyball Club. I want to be a role model that they can look up to and see that they, too, can make it to the Division I level someday," she said.
St. John set the tone for her college career with a strong freshman season that saw her get 243 kills, third-most for SEMO in 2025. She also had 65 blocks and 12 solo blocks to go along with a .250 attack percentage. St. John enters this year among the Ohio Valley Conference's Preseason Players to Watch.
St. John's development as a volleyball player was driven by her father, who passed away when she was younger.
"That was such a tough time," St. John recalls. "He was my biggest inspiration in sports who pushed me to work hard in everything I do. He encouraged me to play multiple sports and always supported me along the way."
St. John didn't get the opportunity to play in the club volleyball circuit as early as some of her peers. At the time, instead of viewing that as a setback, she took a different approach.
"I don't think that impacted me negatively," St. John explained. "We don't start playing club volleyball here until we're 11 years old. In St. Louis and other places, players can start at age seven or eight. When I watched the girls in those other clubs, it made me work harder and realize I want to be just as good as they are."
That determination has become one of St. John's defining strengths that she has brought to a rich SEMO program that won three OVC regular-season titles and two tournament crowns since 2019.
One of the biggest highlights for St. John so far was when the Redhawks knocked off Big Ten Conference member Iowa in a five-set thriller a year ago. She finished with 11 kills and five blocks against the Hawkeyes.
"We played our hearts out," she said. "Being with your teammates, having the best coaches and winning a five-set match at home against a Big Ten school – I was like, yeah, this is what it's all about!"
Away from volleyball, St. John loves music. In fact, she has played the piano for 10 years. Most recently, St. John traveled to Europe this past summer and performed in over five different countries.
"My family is full of music teachers," she said. "I can sing and I really enjoy music. It gives me balance and perspective and keeps me grounded when volleyball is so intense."
St. John lives her life as a student-athlete enjoying every day, working to lift others, celebrate community and grow through the sport she loves so much.
"I like to walk in with a smile on my face every day and have fun. I am enjoying every moment being a Redhawk."
The SEMO volleyball team is slated to open its 2026 season Friday, August 29, at home against Western Kentucky before also hosting Oregon on August 30.
Stretegic Communications Graduate Assistant
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – For Katy St. John, Southeast Missouri has always been home.
The standout from nearby Jackson didn't need other offers to know this is where she wants to be.
"I'd say the biggest turning point in my volleyball career is when I committed to be a Redhawk," St. John said. "It felt like home and I wasn't really looking at anything else besides SEMO."
St. John grew up just 10 miles down the road from Cape Girardeau. While added pressure comes with being an area athlete, St. John uses that as motivation.
"I always want to compete for the girls that go to Jackson and play for Cape Girardeau's Pursuit Volleyball Club. I want to be a role model that they can look up to and see that they, too, can make it to the Division I level someday," she said.
St. John set the tone for her college career with a strong freshman season that saw her get 243 kills, third-most for SEMO in 2025. She also had 65 blocks and 12 solo blocks to go along with a .250 attack percentage. St. John enters this year among the Ohio Valley Conference's Preseason Players to Watch.
St. John's development as a volleyball player was driven by her father, who passed away when she was younger.
"That was such a tough time," St. John recalls. "He was my biggest inspiration in sports who pushed me to work hard in everything I do. He encouraged me to play multiple sports and always supported me along the way."
St. John didn't get the opportunity to play in the club volleyball circuit as early as some of her peers. At the time, instead of viewing that as a setback, she took a different approach.
"I don't think that impacted me negatively," St. John explained. "We don't start playing club volleyball here until we're 11 years old. In St. Louis and other places, players can start at age seven or eight. When I watched the girls in those other clubs, it made me work harder and realize I want to be just as good as they are."
That determination has become one of St. John's defining strengths that she has brought to a rich SEMO program that won three OVC regular-season titles and two tournament crowns since 2019.
One of the biggest highlights for St. John so far was when the Redhawks knocked off Big Ten Conference member Iowa in a five-set thriller a year ago. She finished with 11 kills and five blocks against the Hawkeyes.
"We played our hearts out," she said. "Being with your teammates, having the best coaches and winning a five-set match at home against a Big Ten school – I was like, yeah, this is what it's all about!"
Away from volleyball, St. John loves music. In fact, she has played the piano for 10 years. Most recently, St. John traveled to Europe this past summer and performed in over five different countries.
"My family is full of music teachers," she said. "I can sing and I really enjoy music. It gives me balance and perspective and keeps me grounded when volleyball is so intense."
St. John lives her life as a student-athlete enjoying every day, working to lift others, celebrate community and grow through the sport she loves so much.
"I like to walk in with a smile on my face every day and have fun. I am enjoying every moment being a Redhawk."
The SEMO volleyball team is slated to open its 2026 season Friday, August 29, at home against Western Kentucky before also hosting Oregon on August 30.
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
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