MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.— The Long Island University volleyball team saw its season come to a close on Friday evening, falling to two-seeded Sacred Heart, 3-0 (15-25, 19-25, 21-25) in the Northeast Conference semifinals at the UMPC Events Center. LIU ends

The Pioneers started the match strong with a 7-2 advantage in the opening set. LIU used a 3-1 stretch shortly after with a kill by senior Kora Schaberl cutting the deficit to three at 8-5. Sacred Heart took control of the set with an 8-2 stretch for the 16-7 lead. The Sharks looked to get something going with a 4-2 run paced by a pair of kills from freshman Miranda Strongman to cut the deficit down to seven but the Pioneers kept the distance for a 25-15 opening set win.

LIU jumped out to an early 5-2 lead to begin the second set paced by a pair of kills from Strongman along with a block assist by Hubbard and Strongman and a few Sacred Heart errors. The Sharks continued to hold the lead as the set continued, pushing the the lead to four at 11-7 on a kill by Strongman. Sacred Heart slowly chipped away at the deficit eventually using a 6-1 stretch to take over the lead at 16-14. LIU would stay within striking distance with back-to-back points shortly after on a kill from freshman Fleur Wiersma and a Sacred Heart error to make it a one point match, 18-17. The Pioneers finished off the second set with a 7-2 stretch to earn the 25-19 second set win.

The Sharks jumped out to an early 6-2 favor in the third set with three kills across the board along with a block assist by Schaberl and Strongman and a few Pioneer errors. LIU eventually pushed the lead to five on another block at the net by Schaberl and Wiersma for an 11-7 lead. Sacred Heart gained momentum with a five-point run from there to knot the set up at 11-11. Both teams would trade brief shots at the lead before LIU used a kill from freshman Barbora Hoskova and a service ace from junior Masa Zirojevic for a 15-13 advantage. The Sharks hung on to the small lead for the next two rotations before Sacred Heart went on a 7-1 stretch to take back the lead, 21-17. The Sharks looked to string together some momentum with back-to-back points late but the Pioneers closed the set on a kill for the 25-21 set win and advance to the NEC Championship.

The Sharks were led offensively by rookies Karolina Nova, Strongman and Wiersma who all finished with seven kills on the night. Nova also added eight digs for LIU. Strongman added a team-high four total blocks at the net. Senior Amanda Hubbard dished out 27 assists on the night. Sophomore Anastasia Scott registered 10 digs for the Sharks defense.

LIU concludes the 2019 season with a 12-17 record and finished 11-5 in conference play during the regular season.