PROVO, Utah.— The LIU volleyball team opened competition at the BYU Doterra Classic against No. 13 nationally ranked BYU, falling 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-10) at the Smith Field House on Thursday evening.

BYU jumped out to a 10-2 lead to open the match. LIU picked up back-to-back points on a kill from junior Jovana Stekovic and an error to halt momentum slightly at 10-4. From there both, teams went back-and-forth trading points as the first set wore on with BYU continuing to hold a strong lead. It was a 7-3 closing stretch that gave the home team a 25-14 first set win.

The second set saw the Sharks earn an opening 2-1 lead but BYU responded quickly rattling off five straight points to take the lead. The Cougars continued to hold the upper hand towards the middle of the set. LIU cut the deficit to two points on a kill from freshman Miranda Strongman and BYU error to bring the score to 14-12. The Sharks kept pace for the next few rotations before an 8-2 closing run gave the Cougars the 25-17 second set win.

Momentum stayed with BYU to start the third set with a 8-4 opening favor. A kill from senior Kora Schaberl cut the lead down to three shortly after. A 6-1 run from the Cougars created separation for a 14-6 lead. The lead continued for the home team with a 10-2 closing stretch to earn the 25-10 set win and the match.

Stekovic led LIU with eight kills on the night. Schaberl added seven kills to go along with two blocks and a service ace. Senior Amanda Hubbard dished out a season-high 14 assists for the Sharks. Senior Natalia Rivera posted a match-high 17 digs on defense.

UP NEXT

The Sharks continue play at the BYU Doterra Classic with a 6:00 p.m. start against Weber State on Friday, September 6.