3

LIU 6-11,3-1

2

Saint Francis U 4-14,0-5

Set Scores

Team Wins 1 2 3 4 5 RECORDS

Saint Francis U (2) 25 25 19 23 7 4-14,0-5

LIU (3) 21 17 25 25 15 6-11,3-1

Set Scores
Team	Wins	1	2	3	4	5	RECORDS
Saint Francis U	(2)	25	25	19	23	7	4-14,0-5
LIU	(3)	21	17	25	25	15	6-11,3-1

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | Oct 08

Rivera Sets Dig Record As Volleyball Rallies To Take Big Five-Set Win Over Saint Francis U.

LORETTO, PA. – The LIU Brooklyn volleyball team rallied from a two-set deficit Saturday afternoon to earn a big Northeast Conference win against Saint Francis University, 3-2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-7). LIU improved to 6-11 overall, and 3-1 in the NEC. Freshman Natalia Rivera anchored the defense in the win for LIU with 48 digs, setting a new LIU volleyball program single-game record, and an NEC single-match record that's stood since 2004. It is also the highest dig-mark in the NCAA this year so far, matched only by a 48-dig performance from Fort Wayne's Olivia Hahn.

The game was close from the first serve, and would remain close throughout the first set. SFU took a 20-15 lead late in the set, but kills from senior Alex Larsen and sophomore Viktoria Fink would help close the lead to 22-21. The Flash were able to score the final three points, however, taking the first set, 25-21. Set two was similar. LIU used a late rally to close the gap, but in the end, the home team took the win, 25-17, and the 2-0 match advantage.

With their backs against the wall, LIU came out fighting in the third set. Back-to-back kills from Larsen got the Blackbirds on the board, and a kills from junior Alexandra Lilliquist and freshman Katharina Krepper put LIU up, 5-2. The Blackbirds remained in control from there, taking a 12-6 lead, and maintain that to go up later on, 20-14. Saint Francis would score some points late in the set, but a kill from Larsen gave LIU the set three win, 25-19, and the Blackbirds were on the board.

Set four was a battle. With both teams in the hunt, it went back and forth throughout. LIU was able to open with a run comprised of three kills from Lilliquist, along with a service ace from freshman Natalia Rivera. A block by Larsen and junior Sonja Vukosavljevic widened the Blackbird lead to 8-2. SFU would go on a run of its own to tie the set up, 8-8, in what would prove to be a pattern for the two teams in the fourth set. Every time either team went up, the other would answer to keep the score close or tied. It wasn't until the 18-18 mark that LIU took the lead for good. A kill from Larsen gave the Blackbirds a 20-18 advantage, and though the Red Flash would come back to stay in it, 23-24, sophomore Viktoria Fink had a kill to give LIU the 25-23 win, tying the match score up, 2-2, and forcing a decisive fifth set.

LIU dominated in the fifth and final set, hitting .370 as a team. Kills from Krepper, Fink, Larsen and Lilliquist put the Blackbirds up, 4-2 in the early goings. SFU would come back to tie it up, 5-5, but sophomore Jiayi Zhang put LIU back up with a kill, 6-5. From there, LIU continued to widen the lead. The Blackbirds would score five unanswered points, including back-to-back kills from Fink to take control for good, 13-6. Just moments later, a kill from Fink would end it all, giving LIU the 15-7 win in the fifth set, and capping a dramatic 3-2 comeback win.

Senior Alex Larsen had her fourth double-double of the season, with 17 kills and 17 digs, while junior Alexandra Lilliquist had 13 kills and 11 digs for her fourth double-double on the year. Sophomore Viktoria Fink added 14 kills, while freshman Amanda Hubbard paced the offense with 49 assists.

Up next, the Blackbirds travel to Moon Township, Pa., to take on Robert Morris, Sunday, October 9 at 5 p.m.