April 04, 2022

Rosina Esposito ’23 has taken advantage of the opportunities being a Division III athlete has afforded her by being a standout player on the volleyball court and a dedicated student.

Esposito scored the match point last season in the NCAA tournament to advance the volleyball team to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. She also added her second American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Honorable Mention award to her mantle and was voted an AVCA All-East Region and Landmark Conference First Team player.

Esposito was described as a “stellar” player in the NCAA tournament and named to the NCAA Cambridge Regional All-Tournament team. She led the SU team in kills in 2021 with 404 on the season, while adding 334 digs, 57 blocks and 29 service aces. She was the Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week in September and posted 26 matches as a third-year with 10 or more kills. Her biggest game came against Drew University, when she totaled 25 kills and 31 digs, which was one of her 14 double-doubles in 2021.

“The best part about being a DIII athlete is the ability to play the sport I love at such a high level while still focusing on life outside of volleyball,” she said.

An early childhood education major with minors in psychology and English as a second language, Esposito, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, counts helping a first-grade student reach her highest potential in the classroom as one of her proudest accomplishments at SU.

“I was placed in her classroom for a tutoring assignment and we spent two days a week together working on curriculum where she needed more help,” Esposito explained. “I created learning activities that helped strengthen her skills.”

Head Coach Kuuipo Tom describes Esposito as a true leader.

“Rosina is the epitome of a selfless leader. On the court, an athlete of her caliber could easily develop a ‘look at me’ ego but, wanting the very best outcomes for all her teammates and coaches, she is a true ‘look to me’ leader,” Tom said. “Off the court, she is the kind of human that has a keen awareness of others, whether they are struggling, successful, lost or enjoying epic success. This understanding of her surroundings has helped her develop a sense of empathy, which in turns drives her to raise others above herself.”

Heading into her final year at SU, Esposito already knows where she would like her career to go. She plans to graduate with a degree in early childhood education and then pursue her Master of Education at Susquehanna as well.

“My future career goals are to become a general education teacher and to inspire the future generations,” she said.

In addition to the women’s volleyball team, Esposito is ­a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Pinky Swear and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. She was indicted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for first-year students. The youngest of six children, Esposito also has a sister, Amalia, who is a fourth-year student on the women’s basketball team. Amalia is a double major in ecology and biology, with minors in chemistry and the Honors Program.