BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Long Island University women's volleyball team (20-8, 15-1 NEC) defeated Saint Francis University 3-1 in the championship game of the NEC Volleyball Tournament on Saturday night, winning its second conference tournament title in the past three seasons.
Saint Francis overcame a late Shark rally to win the first set 25-22, and held a 12-5 lead early in the second frame. However, the Sharks scored 12 of the next 14 points in the set to take a 17-14 lead in the second set, capped off with a kill by senior Karly Klaer. With both teams continuing to battle, the Sharks tied the match at one with a 26-24 second-set win.
LIU came out on top of closely contested third and fourth sets, winning 25-21 and 25-20, respectively, to clinch the NEC crown.
Junior Sara van Gisteren led the Sharks with 23 kills in the win (.354 hitting percentage), followed by 12 by sophomore Bella Correia. Senior Karly Klaer recorded 45 assists, and sophomore Miabella Musignac had a team-high 17 digs.
Following the match, the Sharks had three student-athletes selected to the NEC All-Tournament Team; van Gisteren, Klaer, and Musignac. van Gisteren was also named as the tournament MVP.
This marks the 13th time that LIU has won the NEC Volleyball Tournament, and the second time of the Sharks era of the program; LIU also won the NEC tournament title in the 2023 season, defeating FDU in three sets.
The NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament Selection Show will be held on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m., where matchups for the 64-team tournament will be announced.
