The Cinderella run is over for the Binghamton University women’s volleyball team.

BU lost to Albany in the America East finals, wrapping up their up-and-down season. Binghamton was able to beat UMBC in the semifinals, but could not hold off top-seeded Albany, who beat the Bearcats both times the teams met this year. The loss gives BU a strong final conference record of 10-4, including tournament play. The Bearcats also finish with an overall 17-16 record in the regular and postseason, an accomplishment after their 4-11 start to the year.

“They performed well, especially during the conference,” said head coach Glenn Kiriyama. “They did a good job of pulling it together after a rough start to the season.”

To make it to the finals, Binghamton first had to beat UMBC (18-13, 7-5), which was no easy task. Both previous matches this year between the teams resulted in close BU wins.

However, the first set of the semifinal suggested that this match would be different, as Binghamton utilized a 10-2 run on the way to a 25-15 win.

The second set proved to be quite different, however. Finishing off the set on an 8-1 run, the Retrievers were able to take the game, 25-17. These two lopsided sets would set the tone for the match, as the teams would exchange one-sided games: 25-18 BU (using an 11-1 run), followed by 25-14 UMBC (using a 12-0 run).

“It just seemed like at times it was tough to stop UMBC,” Kiryama explained, “and then other times we got on a good roll with some good offensive play from our hitters.”

In the fifth and final set, the streak continued. The Bearcats went ahead, 9-2, and held off a Retriever rally to win the set and match, 15-10.

Sophomore Michelle McDonough had a match-high 21 kills, while UMBC freshman Alyssa Lang had 14 kills and 15 digs. Coming off the win, Binghamton faced their toughest foe all year — Albany. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, their struggles against the Great Danes continued as the team lost in straight sets, 25-13, 25-19, 25-18. The Bearcats committed 25 errors in just three sets.

“I think being in the championship match we felt we had nothing to lose,” Kiriyama said. “We just wanted to come out and play strong. [The team] had confidence that they could have beat them if they had played well, but it wasn’t to be.”

“They definitely executed much better than we did, especially with their offense. They’re a tough team to stop offensively. I thought we needed more production from some of our other players, besides our outside. We just didn’t execute well enough.”

Despite the loss in the finals, this year was no lost season. The Bearcats were recognized for their successes this year, with sophomores Michelle McDonough, Anna Lejina and Lindsey Mueller being named to the First-Team All-Conference. Kiriyama also won America East Coach of the Year, though he was quick to deflect praise onto his team instead of his own performance.

With the year over, the team must look to next season.

Seniors Jaclyn Strader, Ashley Allen and Katie Thomas will be graduating after this year, removing key leaders from the team. While Kiriyama has already begun looking to recruit for next year, he acknowledges the impact the three seniors have had on the team.

“They will definitely be missed,” he said. “They’ve meant a lot to the program. They’re very competitive, and we’ll miss their drive and their leadership.”

After a surprising and successful year, the Bearcats can only hope that breakout performers, like the three sophomore All-Conference players, will fill the gap for what looks to be a promising season.