Brookville,N.Y. (Sept. 1, 2017) - On Friday, the LIU Post volleyball team split its 2017 home opener with a 3-0 win against Nyack College followed by a loss to West Liberty University that went the distance in a season-opening tri-match at Pratt Recreation Center.

LIU Post 3, Nyack 0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-7)
The Pioneers dominated the Warriors (0-1) in the first set, winning by a 25-12 final. The Green and Gold jumped out to an early 16-3 lead as sophomore setter Kassie Akouri-Tejedor (North Miami Beach, Fla.) served an ace in the game. Outside hitters Rachel Londot (Utica, Ohio) and Lauren Kloos (Kings Park, N.Y.) each registered three kills on the set.

In the second frame, the Warriors battled valiantly, but to no avail as the Pioneers held on for a 25-22 victory. A pair of LIU Post freshmen, middle blocker Asiya Way (Denver, Colo.) and Kloos, led the way combining for a half-dozen kills.

The Pioneers and Warriors were locked in a tight one at 4-3 in the third set, until the home team went on a 21-4 run to put the match away. Senior outside hitter Danielle Valenza (Hauppauge, N.Y) tallied two kills while junior middle blocker Elise Strange (Chesapeake, Va.) tallied a pair of her own.

Junior setter Giulia Genna (Rome, Italy) allocated 14 assists while fellow setter Akouri-Tejedor dished out 13 assists and served three aces. Londot, the beneficiary, had 9 kills while hitting .409 in the match.

LIU Post 2, West Liberty 3 (25-17, 25-12, 25-14)
In the nightcap, the Pioneers (1-1) started off strong, taking the first two sets, before the Hilltoppers (2-0) proved to be too much. Seven different players recorded kills for the green and gold, including a match-high 14 kills by Valenza.

In a nail-biting first set, LIU Post closed out the game scoring four of the final six points to secure a 25-22 victory. Lauren Kloos lead the run with two kills before Akouri-Tejedor finished it off with a service ace.

In the second set the Pioneers tallied the final six points, winning 25-18. The Pioneers capitalized on five Hilltopper errors and a service ace to put the game away. Valenza and Londot led the way combining for eight kills.

Tied 8-8 in the third set, the Hilltoppers scored five of the next six points, and would never trail again. That momentum would carry over to game four in which West Liberty would again prevail, 25-18.
 
In the decisive fifth game, the Pioneers came out strong. However, their final lead would be seen at 11-10 when Valenza put down her final kill of the evening. West Liberty closed out the contest by scoring five of the last six points to win the final set 15-12.

Kloos added another 10 kills to her Pioneer debut evening, while Genna recorded eight kills and 28 assists.

Head Coach Amanda Ostapow and the Pioneers return to action Saturday (Sept. 1), when they host a tri-match where they will face-off against Merrimack College and Jefferson University at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.