TUCSON, Ariz. — The LIU women's volleyball team looked like it might flirt with duplicating its magic on Saturday.

However, a day after dramatically overcoming a two-sets-to-none deficit on Day 1 of the season, the Sharks fell to New Mexico State, 25-23, 25-13, 25-21, at the Arizona Cactus Classic.

LIU rallied from a late three-point deficit in the third set to take a 17-16 lead, but New Mexico State ultimately pulled out the set.

LIU went 1-2 during the season-opening tournament.

After falling to host Arizona on Friday, the Sharks rallied from a two-sets-to-none deficit to defeat Alabama State that evening.

In the tournament's finale, Karolina Nova had 11 kills, Allie Merz had 17 assists and Anastasia Scott had 22 digs.

"It was a good start for our squad," coach Ken Ko said about the season-opening three-match tournament. "We knew it was going to be a tough opening weekend, but we did get to play some different lineups and identify what we need to work on. I liked how we started in some sets and how we finished in others. There was toughness and heart, which is great to see so early. Like everyone else, we are figuring out how to put in a complete effort."

LIU next heads to Lewisburg, Pa., for a three-match tournament next weekend. The Sharks will face NJIT on Friday and George Washington and host Bucknell next Saturday.