HACKENSACK, NJ – The road to the NEC Championship will go through Sacred Heart University. The Pioneers women's volleyball team took both of its matches at Fairleigh Dickenson to earn the regular season Northeast Conference championship. The Pioneers won the first contest 3-0 (25-19, 25-25, 25-23) and got the sweep with the 3-1 (25-16, 16-25, 25-23, 25-19) on Friday.

Records:
Fairleigh Dickinson: 4-7, 4-7 NEC
Sacred Heart: 9-3, 8-0 NEC

Top Performers:
Reghan Palanchi (SHU): 20 kills (GM 2)
Sarah Ciszek (SHU): 37 assists, 20 digs, 13 kills (GM 2); 32 assists, 13 digs 
Emma Smallcomb (SHU) 22 digs 
Jasmine Rogers (SHU): 17 kills

Up Next:
Sacred Heart goes on the road to face LIU at 2 pm.

Of Note:
Needing only one win to clinch the regular season crown, the Pioneers made the plays down the stretch to get the sweep. Set three of match one was tied 20-20, but libero Emma Smallcomb came through with two aces.

Sophomore Jasmine Rogers led all players with a career-high 17 digs. Dominique Felix and Olivia Fairchild each had eight winners.

The first two sets of match two were not close and the Pioneers were able to pull out the pivotal third set. SHU was down 23-2 in the set, but after a FDU error then kills from Reghan Palanchi and Sarah Ciszek ended the set.

Ciszek notched her fourth triple-double of the season with 37 assists, 20 digs and 13 kills. Posting a career-high 20 kills was Palanchi to lead all players.  

The Pioneers hit .237 while keeping the Knights to .155 thanks to a 75-66 digs advantage.