L-P grad Marisa Guisti shocked La Salle University cut volleyball

When Marsia Guisti got onto a mandatory Zoom meeting for La Salle University athletes on Tuesday, she wasn’t expecting the news she received.

La Salle athletic director Brian Baptiste announced the school is cutting seven sports, including volleyball, ending Guisti’s career at the NCAA Division I school in Philadelphia.

“It was completely random,” said Guisti, a La Salle-Peru High School graduate. “We just came off the best season La Salle has ever had, so it was definitely crazy to hear. We were not expecting this at all. Our coach just signed a 2025 two days ago. He didn't know about it.

“We were one of seven programs cut. A lot of student-athletes were obviously devastated. It’s nice because we’re at least reaching out to each other. We’re a family. We connected with a lot of the other student-athletes. We have a good group of people to talk with, but it’s definitely shocking and nobody saw it coming.”

Guisti plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal Thursday with hopes of finding another school where she can play volleyball.

“I’m getting into the transfer portal (Thursday) and we’ll see where it goes from there,” Guisti said. “I’ll see if I can find another home and another chance to play volleyball.

“Hopefully, coaches will reach out to me through (the portal). I’m really open right now. Honestly, anywhere that would let me play I would be more than grateful because I’m not ready for volleyball to be over.”

Guisti, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker, helped the Explorers to a 15-14 overall record and an 8-6 mark in the Atlantic 10 Conference last year as a freshman.

She played a team-high 110 sets and started 26 matches. Guisti led the team in total blocks (81) and finished fifth in kills (185).

Guisti was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team and was on the A10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

“It’s nice because I can say I have a year of Division I volleyball under my belt. That’s a plus,” Guisti said about searching for a new school.

Guisti is currently back in Peru as La Salle is doing remote learning through the first semester.

She has been following a workout program throughout the summer and fall and is helping coach club volleyball.

“It’s nice I can stay with the sport a little bit and get some reps doing that,” said Guisti, a communications major.

At L-P, Guisti helped the Lady Cavaliers to a 115-35-3 record, four regional titles and a Class 3A fourth-place state trophy.

She was the 2018 NewsTribune Volleyball Player of the Year.