Three Bonacorsi Sisters Find a Home at Greenville University

Published: June 01, 2026

Author: Dave Bell

It's not unusual for parents to develop a special relationship with the university their child attends. The time spent, the money invested, and the relationships built at the school all serve to cement those ties.

But for Bret and Jennifer Bonacorsi of St. Peters, MO, the impact has been tripled. Three of their four daughters attended Greenville University and played on the volleyball team.

"We continue to support Greenville University because of the impact it has had on our daughters," Jennifer said. "The volleyball program has given them so many positive memories and life lessons. We are strong believers that being a student-athlete helps young people throughout their lives."

The Bonacorsi connection with GU started with Maci (Bonacorsi' 20) Selk, the oldest of the three sisters. But it almost didn't happen. She had been accepted at another university when she made a last-minute visit to Greenville. What she found during that visit changed her plans and ultimately changed her life.

"Visiting the campus and getting to know the volleyball players and Coach (Tom) Ackerman convinced me that GU was the right fit for me," Maci said. "Everyone was incredibly welcoming, genuine, and supportive. There was a strong sense of unity and support within the team. That made me feel at home right away, and I could truly see myself there.

“Because it is a Christian university, I also had confidence that it was a place where my faith could grow alongside my academics and athletics,” Maci added. "That initial impression proved to be accurate, as I developed a rhythm of attending chapel, vespers, a team Bible study, and a local church. It was a very impactful time spiritually for me."

That atmosphere was also apparent to the second Bonacorsi daughter, Mia, when it came time to choose a college.

“After hearing about Maci's experience, choosing GU felt like a natural decision for me,” said Mia (’23). "I was drawn to the smaller campus environment and the Christian culture there. It was important to me that my professors and coaches knew me by name and that I felt seen, valued, and supported.

“I knew that I could pursue academics at many places,” Mia added, “but I was drawn to GU’s people and the faith-based foundation there. I wanted to continue to grow spiritually during my college years, and I felt that Greenville would facilitate that."

After completing her bachelor's degree in exercise science in 2023, Mia continued her education at GU, earning a master's in education in 2025, while working as an administrative assistant in the athletic department. She's now teaching third grade in St. Charles, MO.

Even though the first two Bonacorsi sisters had found their niche at GU, the youngest sister, Claudia '28, wasn't sure she wanted to follow in their footsteps.

“I'd told my parents that I wanted to go somewhere new and create my own story," said Claudia. "But the more I went to my sisters' games and saw how close the team was and how much the coaches cared about the players, the easier it was to see myself there. Creating your own story isn't about your location; it’s about what you do with the opportunities in front of you.

"The faith-centered environment at GU has helped me become more confident in who I am and what I believe,” Claudia added. "I was used to those values at home, but being here has challenged me to live them out and make my faith truly my own.

“My volleyball teammates and coaches have become like my second family, always pushing me to grow and supporting me through the challenging times," continued Claudia, a sophomore majoring in psychology. "Between the welcoming campus community, the shared Christian values, and the close bond within the volleyball program, GU has become a place where I feel comfortable, supported, and truly at home.”

After watching each of their daughters grow academically, athletically, and spiritually, Bret and Jennifer say that Greenville University has shaped not only what their daughters do, but who they are becoming. And even though the Bonacorsis are not GU grads themselves, they've become enthusiastic advocates and supporters of the University.

"We love GU's emphasis on living lives of character and service," Jennifer said. "We want our daughters to be known for their character and their willingness to serve others. We are forever grateful to Coach Ackerman and President Suzanne Davis for giving our daughters such a wonderful experience. And we want to make it possible for others to be impacted by that culture, too."