FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The LIU women's volleyball team rallied to take the third set, then went to a tiebreaker the following set.

However, the Sharks ultimately fell to host Sacred Heart, 25-19, 25-21, 23-25, 28-26, in Friday's NEC opener.

LIU had led 24-23 in the fourth set, and was a point away from forcing a winner-take-all fifth set.

Allie Merz had 31 assists, Amaris Smith had 16 kills and Anastasia Scott had 16 digs in the defeat.

The Sharks (5-8, 0-1 NEC) quickly return to league play on Saturday when they face Central Connecticut State in New Britain.