The trip back from the Empire State capital was a disheartening one for the Binghamton University volleyball team, as they lost at Albany, 3-1. It was the Bearcats’ second straight conference loss, dropping them down to fourth in the conference.

‘It was a tough match,’ said head coach Glenn Kiriyama. ‘Although we played well at times, Albany played much better.’

The Great Danes (16-8, 6-3 AE) indeed put up a great match, outplaying Binghamton (15-16, 6-4 AE) in almost every single aspect with a total of 60 kills and four players each reaching double digits in kills. Albany proved they were in control of the ball with 18 service aces, and although the Bearcats exhibited great defense skills at the net, the Great Danes barked back with 15 team blocks and 58 assists. The Bearcats, however, came up on top in digs and had fewer errors than its rival.

Both junior Ashley Allen and freshman Lindsey Mueller posted double doubles in the match, with Allen having 11 kills and 17 digs and Mueller providing 41 assists and 16 digs.

Senior Jacki Kane, who had the team-high 15 kills, became the eighth player in BU volleyball history to record 1,000 career kills. She is now seventh on the all-time kill list with 1,008 for her career. In addition, Kane’s eight blocks brings her 21 shy of the program’s all-time lead.

But the Bearcats can’t dwell on the past as Binghamton will fight at home for the season’s remaining two games. First up will be the Stony Brook Seawolves (21-7, 9-1 AE) this Thursday. The first-place Seawolves will be quite a challenge for the Bearcats as they govern the America East stats in kills, assists and service aces. Stony Brook has had an amazing conference season with only one loss and is currently on a nine-game winning streak.

Having the highest hitting percentage in the conference, the Seawolves have an impressive roster. Stony Brook seniors Jackie Ahlers and Morgan Sweany lead the AE conference in kills; Ahlers who yields the second highest hitting percentage (.340), averages about five kills and five points a game.

‘Stony Brook is similar to Albany,’ said Kiriyama. ‘We are going to have to receive the serve stronger, and if we can do everything else well with blocking and digging, then we may be able to come out of [the game] on a [good note].’

Binghamton lost at Stony Brook earlier in the season, 3-1, but will look for revenge Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the West Gym. The Bearcats will then play their final regular season game on Sunday for Senior Day against last-place Hartford at 2 p.m. The top four teams qualify for the America East tournament and with the Bearcats sitting in fourth place, Binghamton will look to solidify their postseason position in their final two games.