TAMPA, FLA. – The LIU Brooklyn volleyball team moved to 3-10 on the season Saturday, as the Blackbirds split day two at the USF Classic, beating Stetson University, 3-1, before falling to the host Bulls, 3-0.

LIU 3, Stetson 1
In the first game of the day, the Blackbirds rallied back from a first set defeat to beat Stetson University, 3-1 (19-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22).

The game started out close, with Stetson taking an early 3-1 lead before the Blackbirds would come back to tie it up, 4-4. The Hatters used a series of runs throughout the set to widen the distance between the two teams. The first of those runs came with the score tied, 10-10. Stetson would score five unanswered points to go up, 15-10 on the Blackbirds. Though LIU came back within two points, 18-16, another 5-0 run by the Hatters put the set out of reach, 23-16. Though LIU would get three more points on the board, it wasn't enough, and Stetson took the first set, 25-19.

The second set was also close to begin with, as the two teams stayed close until 6-6. Then, a kill from freshman Filippa Hansson sparked a run for the Blackbirds. Four unanswered points put LIU up, 10-6. Thought Stetson would keep it close, LIU was able to maintain the gap. Another run late in the set put LIU ahead for good. A kill from sophomore Viktoria Fink started the run, and LIU scored five straight points to widen the lead to 22-14. Though Stetson would rally to score four more points, a kill from sophomore Jiayi Zhang gave LIU the 25-18 win, tying the match up, 1-1.

Set three saw Stetson jump out to an early lead that they would hold on to for much of the frame. LIU would use a late run to take the lead back, 17-14, and eventually won the set, 25-20, taking the match lead, 2-1. The fourth and final set was as back and forth as the rest of the game, but in the end, LIU was able to take the win, 25-22, and the match, 3-1.  

Junior Alexandra Lilliquist led the Blackbirds with 13 kills and 17 digs. Freshman Amanda Hubbard also had a double-double, with 41 assists and 13 digs, while freshman Natalia Rivera led the defense with 23 digs and senior Alex Larsen had 12 kills.

USF 3, LIU 0
In the second game of the day, the Blackbirds played a tough first set, before falling to the host Bulls in three, 27-25, 25-11, 25-11.

USF jumped out to an early lead in the night cap, going up 5-1 on the Blackbirds. Back-to-back kills from junior Alexandra Lillquist got LIU back in the game, 5-3, but USF was able to keep LIU at arm's length. Senior Alex Larsen struck next, with back-to-back kills that would help the Blackbirds come within one, 9-10. USF would eventually use a 6-0 run to widen the gap back up, 16-10, but LIU answered with a 5-0 run to stay right with them. A kill by junior Sonja Vukosavljevic got things started, and freshman Natalia Rivera added two service aces in the run. A kill from Lilliquist made it 15-16, and LIU was right back in it. Just minutes later, the Blackbirds tied it up. A kill from Lilliquist, followed by a solo block from freshman Filippa Hansson, and another Lilliquist kill tied the set up. 18-18. A 4-0 run shortly after put LIU ahead for the first time since the start of the set. A kill from Hansson and an ace by Lilliquist made it 22-19, in favor of LIU, and shortly thereafter, a USF error gave the Blackbirds set point, 24-20. The Bulls started battling back, however, and scored five straight points to go up, 25-24. Fink would get a kill for LIU facing set point, tying it up, 25-25, but the Bulls would register two quick points, and take the first set, 27-25.

With momentum firmly on the side of the home team, the Bulls made quick work of LIU from there. South Florida would win sets two and three, 25-11, to take the 3-0 win, and clinch the tournament title.

Alexandra Lilliquist led LIU again with 10 kills and 11 digs, while Amanda Hubbard had 24 assists, and freshman Natalia Rivera had 13 digs.

Freshman Amanda Hubbard and junior Alexandra Lilliquist were named to the All-Tournament team for their outstanding play over the weekend. Up next, the Blackbirds open the NEC season, hosting FDU and Sacred Heart next weekend in the Steinberg Wellness Center.