SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The LIU volleyball team clinched their spot in the Northeast Conference championship match Wednesday evening, splitting with Bryant. The Bulldogs won the first match. 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 25-14, 26-28, 15-9), setting the Sharks up for a must-win situation in game two.
And LIU did just that, taking game two, 3-1 (25-20, 11-25, 25-23, 26-24), and clinching their spot at the No. 2 seed in the standings. The Sharks will head north to take on #1 seed Sacred Heart in the NEC championship match, Saturday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
SHARK BITES
- In game one, Karolina Nova and Jovana Stekovic both had double doubles for the Sharks, with 10 kills each, and 11 and 14 digs, respectively.
- Junior Barbora Hoskova led the team with 12 kills, along with six digs and four blocks.
- Miranda Strongman finished with nine kills, while Kristina Mamic had a team-high six blocks. Riana Blount also added four blocks at the net.
- Libero Anastasia Scott finished with 25 digs, while setter Ainsley Malis had 28 assists and 12 digs for a double double of her own.
- In the second game of the day, Stekovic led LIU with 15 kills (and a .244 attack percentage), along with 10 digs and a service aces. Nnova had 12 kills, 15 digs and four blocks for the Sharks, including two solo.
- Mamic was a monster at the net in game with, with eight total blocks for LIU.
- Freshman Allie Merz had 20 assists for LIU, along with four digs, while Malis had 17 assists and 18 digs. Scott led the defense again with 23 digs.
Up next, is the NEC championship match, which will air live on NEC Front Row.
