Brookville, N.Y. (Sept. 2, 2017) - The LIU Post volleyball team kept rolling Saturday with a 3-0 sweep (25-21, 21-14, 25-12) of Merrimack to start the day and a 3-1 win (17-25, 25-12, 25-21, 25-17) over Jefferson to close out the action at Pratt Recriation Center.

LIU Post 3, Merrimack 0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-12)
In the opener, LIU Post (2-1) jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the first set, behind a pair of service aces and two kills by senior outside hitter Danielle Valenza (Hauppauge, N.Y.)

The Warriors (0-1) later managed to close the gap to 17-15, but the Pioneers held on late to take the first set 25-21. Junior outside hitter Rachel Londot (Utica, Ohio) closed the set out strong with the final three Pioneer kills. 

LIU Post looked even stronger with a 25-14 decision in the second set. After allowing the first three points of the frame, the home squad scored nine unanswered points giving themselves a lead they would never surrender.  Londot took control of the match with two service aces and a pair of kills during the stretch.

With the lead in hand, LIU Post cruised to victory in the third set 25-12. Starting things off with a 7-2 run, the decision was never in doubt. Valenza provided the spark with three kills during the stretch. Later freshman middle hitter Asiya Way (Denver, Colo.) would add to the victory with three kills of her own. 

Valenza registered a team-best 10 kills and a pair of aces to lead the Pioneers. Londot had eight kills, nine digs and three service aces. Junior setter Giulia Genna (Rome, Italy) and sophomore setter Kassie Akouri-Tejedor (Miami, Fla.) combined for 27 assists as they guided the Pioneers to victory.

LIU Post 3, Jefferson 1 (17-25, 25-12, 25-21, 25-17)
The Pioneers (3-1) continued to look strong in the final match of the day, defeating Jefferson (1-1) in four sets. Valenza again led the way with 18 kills, two blocks and a service ace. Londot had 11 kills of her own along with a block and an ace on the night. 

After dropping the first set, the Pioneers rallied early in the second with an 11-2 run. The stretch was spurred by three service aces by Akouri-Tejedor and a pair of kills from junior middle hitter Elise Strange (Chesapeake, Va.). 

In the third set, the Pioneers trailed 8-2 early. The green and gold responded with eight unanswered points as they took a 14-12 lead.  LIU Post closed the set out scoring five of the final six points to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Finally, in the fourth set, LIU Post put the match on ice. Midway through the set the Pioneers scored six consecutive points giving them a 16-7 lead that they would never relinquish, as they went on to win by a score of 25-17. In the final set Valenza and Londot had five kills a piece. Freshman outside hitter Lauren Kloos (Kings Park, N.Y.) joined the party with two kills of her own.

Genna was strong all match long with six kills and 20 assists. Akouri-Tejedor had an impressive afternoon from behind the service line with six aces, while senior libero Indira Rojas (Coamo, Puerto Rico) had an impressive 26 digs for the game.

Head Coach Amanda Ostapow and her LIU Post squad return to action next Saturday (Sept. 9), when they head to Waterbury, Conn. to play in the Post University Invitational.