FAIRFIELD, CONN.- As the busy weekend came to a close, the Pioneers took on the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds to see who would take home the NEC Trophy.  Senior Allison Riggs, and Senior Ana Gonzalez were named to the NEC All Tournament team at the conclusion of todays contest.

The Pioneers got off to a quick start as they posted the first three points of the set, one coming from a service ace from Ana Gonzalez. Senior Allison Riggs was on fire early as she posted two kills to electrify the crowd and give the Pioneers the early 4-1 lead.  The Blackbirds of LIU continued to battle with the Pioneers getting the set within two points, but 2x NEC Player of the Year Sarah Krufka had other plans as she rattled off a couple of kills to give the Pio's the 14-10 lead. LIU continued to keep the set close as they closed the gap within one and eventually took the first set from the Pioneers 26-24.

As the points went back and fourth to start the second set, the score sat 12-11 in favor of LIU. The Pioneers began to dig back as Liisel Nelis posted a much-needed kill to put the match within one. After a couple Pioneer errors, the Blackbirds extended the lead to 19-15. Junior setter, Kiki Robinson regrouped the Pioneers and got the match within one point 22-21. The Pioneers continued to battle back with the help of sophomore Makayla Dole as she posted a much-needed ace to give the Pioneers their first lead of the second set and eventually take the set 25-23.

As the match was tied one set a piece, the NEC Coach of The Year Rob Machan utilized the 10 minute intermission, and the Pioneers enter the third set on fire jumping to a 8-1 lead.  As the Blackbirds began to comeback the Pioneers were fortunate enough to take advantage of a couple of LIU errors and maintain the lead 13-7. Sarah Krufka then went on to post back-to-back kills for the Pioneers and extend the lead to 15-7. LIU then used their second timeout to try and stop the momentum of SHU, but the Pioneers answered getting the next 3 of 4 points to give them an 18-8 advantage.  The Pioneers established a rhythm, and went on the win the set, 25-11. 

As the fourth set was underway, Liisel Nelis began the set with two service aces to give the Pioneers an early advantage 3-0.  The Blackbirds weren't going down without a fight as they rattled off three points of their own to even the score 3-3.  The Blackbirds went on to grab the lead and give themselves some breathing room with a 15-9 lead. The Pioneers looked focused after taking a timeout and closing the gap within three. Senior Maddie Losure stepped up and posted a couple of kills for the Pioneers and tied the match up at 19-19.  Blackbirds managed to stay on top for the fourth set and take it 27-25.

In Championship fashion, it comes down to the last set with both teams owning two sets.  The Blackbirds were first to strike as they jumped to an early 5-2 lead and forced the Pioneers to take a timeout. Senior Allison Riggs kept the Pioneers in the match as she post three kills to close the gap 8-6 in favor of LIU. The match stood 12-10 in favor of the Blackbirds till Liisel Nelis hit an ace, followed by a kill from Maddie Losure to tie the match up 12-12. With everyone in the stands on their feet, Allison Riggs posted a block assist to give the Pioneers their first lead of the set 14-13.  The Pioneers just couldn't hold off the blocking of the Blackbirds and went on to fall 19-17.