Indianapolis, Ind. – The Sharks created quite a splash Saturday, with LIU women's volleyball defeating Duke 3-2 in their first match of the Butler Invitational on Saturday.
Despite falling behind 2-0 early, LIU remained close throughout with tightly-contested sets to begin. The Sharks fought their way back with wins in each of the next two to force a decisive fifth set. After winning each of the third and fourth sets 25-21, LIU took even more control when it mattered most. After pulling ahead 5-4 in the fifth set, the Sharks never trailed again, withstanding a Duke comeback attempt and a 10-10 tie, before LIU went on to secure a 15-11 win and put a final exclamation point on the victory.
Saturday's win marked LIU women's volleyball's second win over a Power 4 opponent in the Sharks era – and second consecutive. LIU's first win over a Power 4 opponent happened just last week, as the squad defeated Virginia Tech 3-1 in their last match on Sept. 13.
Reigning NEC Player of the Week
Sara van Gisteren led the Sharks with 20 kills – her second consecutive match with at least twenty kills.
Bella Correia led LIU with 14 digs and added 13 kills of her own in the victory, both of which represented season-high marks for the junior.
Reese Teves additionally had 11 digs for LIU – her fifth consecutive match reaching double-digits.
The Sharks return to play on Sunday, Sept. 20, facing off against Butler at 2 p.m. as the Butler Invitational continues.
