BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The LIU Brooklyn volleyball team embarks on a three-game road swing to close out the regular season. First up for the Blackbirds is a meeting against borough rival St. Francis Brooklyn on Friday, November 2 at 4:00 p.m.
NEC STANDINGS
LIU remains in the top spot in the Northeast Conference with a 10-1 mark in league play, clinching a berth two weekends ago. With two weeks left to play, the rest of the field could potentially be determined this weekend. Per the Northeast Conference weekly release, Bryant, Central Connecticut and Sacred Heart all have an opportunity to clinch a NEC Tournament berth this weekend. The Blackbirds will close out the regular season next weekend against both the Bulldogs who are currently in second place and Blue Devils who are right behind in third.
LAST TIME OUT
The Blackbirds closed out the home portion of their regular season schedule with a weekend split against the NEC Pennsylvania contingent.
It was a convincing three-set sweep on Senior Day over Saint Francis U as seniors Viktoria Fink and Alexandra Lilliquist led the charge with double-digit kills after being honored pregame. Lilliquist also added 11 digs for her first double-double of the season. Sophomore Piper Matsumoto also tallied a double-double with 21 assists and 10 digs. Junior Natalia Rivera set a new NEC three-set hight for the season with 25 digs.
LIU's 10-game winning streak and 18-game NEC winning streak was snapped on Saturday night by Robert Morris with a 3-1 loss. The Blackbirds were out blocked for the first time in seven games with the Colonials holding a 14-6 advantage at the net.
SCOUTING THE TERRIERS
St. Francis Brooklyn has been on a roll since suffering a straight set loss to the Blackbirds back on October 12. Winners of four in a row, including three five-set victories all at the Genovesi Center has St. Francis 9-16 overall and 5-6 in the NEC.
The Terriers swept the NEC weekly awards this past week with Lauren Montgomery earning Player of the Week and Kizzy Rodriguez garnering Defensive Player and Rookie of the Week distinction.
LIU hammered a season-high .383 hitting percentage and tallied a season-high eight service aces in the win over St. Francis. The Blackbirds held over a ten-point lead in the final two sets to take the annual Dig Pink match at the Steinberg Center.
UP NEXT
The Blackbirds will travel up to Bryant and CCSU next weekend to close out the regular season. LIU opens the weekend Friday, November 9 against the Bulldogs for a 6:00 p.m. first serve.