BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The LIU women's volleyball team played an absolute thriller in a five-set match against Delaware State at the Steinberg Wellness Center on Tuesday night, but unfortunately fell 25-19, 13-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-17.
 
The Sharks and Hornets went back and forth for the entire match with neither team being able to game complete control of the momentum and at the end of the fourth set it was all tied up.
 
In the fifth and final set Delaware State jumped out to an early 3-0 lead until the Sharks fought back to go on a four point run to give themselves the lead.
 
LIU's lead grew to as big as 10-5, but the Hornets would not go way and tied the match up at 13. Delaware State gained a 14-13 lead and the Sharks immediately responded with two points,  leading 15-14. Unfortunately, from there the Hornets scored three answered and LIU fell in the set 17-15.
 
"Despite fighting in a tightly contested match our execution fell short late in the match," assistant coach Daniel Altamar said.
 
Alasha Colon was once again superb defensively in her first match back from injury. She recorded 33 digs and also added two assists.
 
Camelia Melendez, coming off an all-tournament team nod, continued her stretch of great play leading the Sharks with 17 kills.
 
Amaris Smith put together a nice game as well, tallying 12 kills and 1.5 blocks.
 
Rumur Rouille and Olivia Lucia were dynamic in front again, combining for 5.5 blocks and 18 kills. Lucia had a hitting percentage of .533%.
 
Selina Koç recorded a season high 51 assists.
 
"We have to be able to walk away from matches like this with a learning experience rather than focusing on the actual outcome," Altamar said.
 
The Sharks will travel to Manhattan, Kan. where they take on Kansas State Thursday night at 5 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.