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Loretto, PA -- The Chicago State volleyball team beat Saint Francis 3-1 Friday night at the DeGol Center in Loretto, Pennsylvania to clinch the Northeast Conference tegular season title in the team's first season in the conference.

The first-place Cougars entered the weekend needing to win one of the two matches against the second-place Red Flash and CSU accomplished the task with a hard-fought 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25 victory. 

"Winning the regular season championship in our first year is special," head coach Tony Trifonov said. "It's a testament to the hard work, dedication and belief in each other that this team has shown from the very beginning. It proves that when you trust the process, and stay committed, positive results will follow. I'm proud of the resilience that our team showed in overcoming adversity." 

Patrycja Lagida and Zahara Quraishi tied for the team lead in kills with 10 while both Berenice Almeyda and Karly Klaer contributed nine. Wiktoria Zagumny had 45 assists and Lagida led on digs with 17 and Andrea Calderon had 15. 

With the win, the Cougars earned the No. 1 seed in the NEC Tournament and will host a tournament field consisting of No. 2 FDU, No. 3 Saint Francis and No. 4 LIU. The Cougars and Sharks will play Friday, November 22 at 2 p.m. and FDU and Saint Francis playing at 7 p.m. with the winners meeting in the championship Saturday, November 23 at 6 p.m.