Chicago, IL — The 2023 NEC Champion LIU Sharks women's volleyball team will look to defend its title when it takes on number one seeded Chicago State in the semifinals of the 2024 NEC Tournament on Friday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m.
 
Earlier this season, the Sharks lost two to Chicago State on Oct. 11 and 12, before embarking on a season-high ten game winning streak that truly changed the trajectory of the season and sparked a highly momentous run for LIU. The Sharks finished 15-16 on the year, including 10-4 against NEC opponents and completed nine sweeps in the campaign. Bouncing back from those two losses set the tone for great success that followed.
 
Last season's NEC Tournament MVP and senior Camelia Melendez continued to lead the Sharks in epic fashion in 2024, tallying a team-high 317 kills in the campaign and subsequently earned a 2024 Northeast Conference Women's Volleyball First Team All-Conference selection.
 
Fellow senior Alasha Colon joined Melendez on the First Team, while also winning her second consecutive NEC Defensive Player of the Year award. She totaled 512 digs this season and joined rare company while surpassing 2,000 digs for her collegiate career. Colon went on to become LIU's all-time digs leader.
 
The Sharks' veteran players set a strong example for freshman Bella Correia, who arrived at LIU and provided her team with quite a boost this season. Correia was named NEC Rookie of the Year and earned herself a Second Team All-Conference selection after making a big impact. Despite missing some action due to injury, her 174 kills on the season ranked second on the team behind Melendez, and it's safe to say her return created an unique springboard to help the Sharks rise and go on that aforementioned ten-game winning streak earlier in the campaign. 
 
This talented trio will lead LIU into battle against a Chicago State team that went 17-9 this season, including 13-1 in NEC play and 9-0 at home.
 
With the Sharks visiting the Cougars on Friday, fans can catch all the action on NEC Front Row beginning at 3 p.m.