Heading into the 2024 volleyball season, it was expected to be the year that junior outside hitter Ginevra Giovagnoni broke out. With Aryanah Diaz, who ended at No. 3 all-time kills in program history graduating, it looked like Giovagnoni would be the go-to option for junior setter Damla Gunes. Giovagnoni was awarded MAAC Preseason Player of the Year honors on Aug. 24, 2024.

Due to a season-ending lower-body injury, Giovagnoni won’t be on the court for the remainder of the year. 

“She’s done for the season,” said Head Coach Kyle Robinson. “We’re not even looking at it [her return] right now, we just want her to have a healthy life, healthy surgery and healthy recovery.”

Damla Gunes and her twin sister Yagmur Gunes came to the United States at the same time as Giovagnoni. The three of them were the only first years who received major minutes in 2022.

“It was real heartbreaking because she’s like my sister we came [to America] at the same time as international [students],” said D. Gunes. “Seeing her down screaming for ten minutes at LIU was really hard for me. I started crying in the game, it was really tough.”

Although Giovagnoni won’t be on the court to help the Bobcats, the team will still be looking to get back to the top of the MAAC this year.