LIU grabs inaugural NEC volleyball title

No. 3 Sharks stun top-seeded Sacred Heart in straight sets

April 26, 2023 John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The Long Island University men's volleyball team won the inaugural NEC Championship Saturday in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of LIU Athletics

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“It’s always a great day to be a Shark,” Long Island University men’s volleyball coach Kai Dugquem proclaimed Saturday in Loretto, Pennsylvania after his third-seeded unit stunned No. 1 Saint Francis University, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20, in the first-ever Northeast Conference championship match.

Dugquem, who arrived here last November after serving as an assistant for the women’s squad at New Jersey City University, led the Sharks (19-11, 10-4 NEC) through three playoff matches with a cumulative 9-1 advantage in sets won.

LIU dropped a set to No. 6 Merrimack last Wednesday in its quarterfinal opener before sweeping past second-seeded Daemen on Thursday and the top-seeded Red Flash (15-12, 11-2) Saturday.

Livian Moreno, Caden Satterfield and NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player Luke Chandler combined for 33 kills and Gio Collazo led LIU with 12 digs.

Chandler, Satterfield and Moreno were all named to the NEC All-Tournament team, capping the second year in program history with a crown, though the conference championship does not come with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s well-deserved recognition for a family of young men who worked hard all season long to perform like a top program all week,” Dugquem said.

The Sharks weren’t done receiving accolades. This week they appeared in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll for the first time in program history, receiving five points to place fourth among other teams amassing votes.

LIU also ranked 20th in the NCAA RPI rankings.

“We never had a doubt on their ability to play at a high level, and are just super proud of their consistent performance all week,” said Dugquem, who watched his team get swept by SHU in Loretto just over two weeks ago before taking three straight from the Red Flash.

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SFC Brooklyn guard Alyssa Fisher was named to the All-Metropolitan Third Team Tuesday by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association. Photo courtesy of SFC Brooklyn Athletics

Though the St. Francis Brooklyn women’s basketball team saw its final season end in March, senior guard Alyssa Fisher keeps getting recognized for her brilliant senior campaign.

Fisher was selected as a member of the All-Metropolitan Third Team on Tuesday by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association.

One of only three NEC players to be recognized, Fisher, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, averaged 16.1 points per contest while leading the Terriers in 3-pointers and steals. She put up at least 10 points in 22 games this year, while eclipsing 20 points on nine occasions.

“I’m so proud of the amazing senior year Fisher had,” SFC head coach Linda Cimino said.

“An All-Met honor is a great accomplishment and she was certainly among the best in the New York City area. She had a tremendous four-year career and gave so much to St. Francis Brooklyn, on and off the court.”

Fisher will be honored along with the rest of the All-Met team during the 90th MBWA Haggerty Awards dinner at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel and Conference Center in Tarrytown, N.Y.

Fisher and men’s basketball standout Josiah Harris were both named to the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association 21st Annual Scholar-Athlete Team last week, making her one of just 11 women nationally to receive an invite.

Voted the NEC’s Most Improved Player this year, Fisher will graduate from SFC in May with her second bachelor’s degree. She posted a 3.8 GPA and will leave the Franciscan school with degrees in biology and health-care management.

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Brooklyn College sophomore Danielle Guzzardi tossed a no-hitter vs. Sarah Lawrence last week en route to being named CUNYAC Pitcher of the Week. Photo courtesy of BC Athletics

For the second consecutive week, Brooklyn College’s Danielle Guzzardi is the best pitcher in the City University of New York Athletic Conference.

On Monday, Guzzardi was named CUNYAC Pitcher of the Week while battery-mate Kaitlyn Belfield received the league’s Rookie of the Week award.

Both hurler and catcher helped the Bulldogs (11-12, 4-2 CUNYAC) to a perfect 4-0 record last week, including two league triumphs over Lehman.

Guzzardi, a sophomore from Bayside, N.Y., by way of St. Francis Prep High School, picked up all four wins from the mound, tossing a no-hitter against Sarah Lawrence in Game of a double-header last Friday at Brooklyn College Field.

Belfield went 5-for-12 at the dish, including a 3-for-4, two-RBI effort at Lehman on April 18.

The Bulldogs look to extend their season-high eight-game winning streak Thursday against visiting Baruch as they celebrate Senior Day activities beginning at 4 p.m.