This Saturday's Northeast Conference (NEC) Women's Volleyball Championship match has been cancelled due to a positive COVID-19 result among Sacred Heart's Tier 1 personnel.

Due to contact tracing, Sacred Heart cannot meet the NEC's minimum roster requirements to compete in the Championship match against LIU.

As a result, LIU will advance to the NCAA Tournament as the NEC's automatic qualifier.

"This is a heartbreaking situation for all involved," said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris. "I know how challenging this year has been for our student-athletes, coaches and staff, and both Sacred Heart and LIU worked diligently to put themselves in a position to compete for the NEC Championship this weekend. However, we are concerned first and foremost with the health and safety of our campus communities, and providing an environment to compete without placing our student-athletes at undue risk remains our top priority. I share in the disappointment of our teams and fans, and look forward to a time in the near future when there is less uncertainty and we are able return to normalcy in both college athletics and campus life."