BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Long Island University men's volleyball team opened Northeast Conference play with a 3-1 win over Fairleigh Dickinson University on Friday night, winning the final three sets after dropping the opening frame. 

"Tonight was a good team win with some adversity," LIU men's volleyball Head Coach Justin Beaumont said. "We want the tough matches. We don't want to win that easily. There's no learning in that. It's a privilege to be in a tough match. Back at it tomorrow." 

The first set began as a back-and-forth affair, as LIU was tied with FDU at 10 through the first 20 rallies; however, a 10-3 scoring run allowed the Knights to take the lead in the set, eventually winning 25-20 after a late LIU rally. 

The momentum for the Knights was short-lived; LIU snatched back momentum after winning the second set 25-21, then put up another strong showing in the third frame with a 25-16 win. The Sharks closed out the match with a 25-20 win in the fourth set, earning a 3-1 win to begin conference play. 

Junior outside hitter Christopher Knowles led LIU with 17 kills, followed by junior outside hitter Chase Celichowski's 12 kills and junior middle blocker Isaac Benka's six kills. Sophomore setter Roei Horovitz had a team-high 34 assists, Benka had a team-high 5.5 blocks, Knowles led the Sharks with two aces and senior libero Alex Weinhaus had nine digs. 

It's a quick turnaround for the Sharks, who travel to face FDU again Saturday, March 22, at 1 p.m.