Volleyball Ends Season in NEC Quarterfinals

The Central Connecticut volleyball season came to an end on Saturday afternoon in the Northeast Conference Tournament with a quarterfinal loss to top seed LIU Brooklyn.  The Blue Devils finish the season with an 11-16 overall record.  The Blackbirds improve to 24-6 overall and will play in the tournament finals on Sunday in Brooklyn.

Central was making its 12th straight appearance in the NEC Tournament.  They have made it in 15 of the last 17 seasons.

LIU topped the Blue Devils 3-0, winning 25-17, 25-15 and 25-17.

LIU started out quickly in the first set, winning the first seven points to build the early lead.  The Blue Devils answered, cutting the lead to 14-12, but the Blackbirds won eight of the next nine points to build a commanding 22-13 lead.  They won the first set 25-17.

After the Blue Devils won the first point of the second set, LIU Brooklyn won the next six, forcing a timeout with a 6-1 lead.  The lead climbed to 14-4 in favor of the home team as LIU Brooklyn won eight of the next 11 points, forcing another CCSU timeout.  After the Blue Devils cut the lead to 15-8 LIU Brooklyn answered to win the second set 25-15.

The Blue Devils built a 10-9 lead in the third set before the Blackbirds won three straight points and forced a timeout.  After the run by the Blackbirds the Blue Devils won two of the next three points to cut the lead to 13-12.   LIU Brooklyn had an answer however, and climbed to an 18-12 lead but winning the next five points.  The would go on to win the third set 25-17.

Senior Rachel Dunlap had an impressive game for the Blue Devils, posting 12 kills against just two errors for a hitting percentage of .400.  She added a pair of block solos and two block assists in the match for the Blue Devils.  Junior Makenna Lommori added seven kills and 11 digs.  Junior Ashley Lenington had 20 assists. 

The Blue Devils end the season with an overall record of 11-16.  LIU advances to the NEC final on Sunday in Brooklyn.