LIU Blackbirds Head to NCAA Tournament

For the volleyball team at Long Island University Brooklyn, a second undefeated Northeast Conference season is not a reason to relax. As the team heads into the NCAA tournament, Blackbirds captain and middle blocker, Jessica Rice, knows there’s more for the team to work on.

“I think we can improve in all aspects of the game,” Rice said. “Probably just communicating more on the court with each other, just talking about the plays and calling the balls.”

The Blackbirds clinched the conference title Sunday, after sweeping Central Connecticut State University in straight sets. It’s been a swift ride for the team this year: They only dropped two sets in conference play. In the final match of the season Central Connecticut led only twice and each time by no more than a point. Rice said the success is due in part to the leadership of the upperclassmen

“We’re all on the court together and leading by example for the younger ones,” she said. “They’re following our footsteps and I think it’s working really well.”

According to LIU Brooklyn Athletic Director Greg Fox, the team’s success is a sum of the players’ talents.

“We have a player from Germany named Annika Foit who is the best hitter in the conference,” he said. In Sunday’s match Foit posted 18 kills.

“We have a libero from Puerto Rico named Adriana, and I don’t know if I’ve seen a better passer and better defensive player than her since I’ve been around this conference,” said Fox. This year Adriana Viñas Joy was named the conference’s Libero of the Year – one of three regular season awards won by players on the squad, including Foit’s Player of the Year award and Vera Djuirc’s Setter of the Year award.

Although the team is heavily decorated, it won’t change its approach on the NCAA tournament court, said head coach Kyle Robinson.

“We’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing and just try to be a better team each day,” he said. “We played a lot of bigger teams and a lot of teams we’ll see in the tournament.” The Blackbirds met the University of Florida before conference play, taking them to four sets but ultimately falling to the Gators.

When it comes down to it, Robinson said the Blackbirds will rely on their experience and quick thinking in NCAA tournament play.

“We select the girls who are prepared,” he said. “These players are a little bit more mature and savvy than past teams.”

The NCAA Selection Show airs on ESPNU on Dec. 1 at 9:30 p.m., and first-round tournament play begins Dec. 5.