The Binghamton volleyball team will look to build off of a convincing road victory in its return home this weekend against conference foes UMBC and Stony Brook.
Sunday’s 3-1 win over Hartford ended a three-game losing streak for the Bearcats (6-18, 3-6 America East), and ended a tough road trip on a positive note. Playing at home for the first time in over two weeks, BU hopes to thrive off of the energy of the home crowd and propel themselves to two more victories.
“We just want to play our game,” BU head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. “At home it’s a little different, so we are looking to hopefully have some good matches.”
First up for Binghamton is UMBC (11-11, 5-3 AE), a team with momentum in its favor. Besting the Retrievers will be a tall order for the Bearcats, as UMBC has won three straight matches, while surrendering just one game in those three. In its most recent contest against UMass Lowell, UMBC received major contributions from senior outside hitter Sherelle Walker, including 11 kills and a match-high .786 hitting percentage and freshman setter Krytsia Negron, who recorded a double-double with 19 assists and 15 digs. Although riding a hot-streak, the Retrievers are just 3-5 away from home.
Despite BU’s fifth position in the seven-team conference and slim chances at making the AE playoffs, the Bearcats have not abandoned hope of a strong finish.
“We want to stay on task here and take it one game at a time,” Kiriyama said. “We want to play well against UMBC.”
Setting the tone early will be key to how the rest of the weekend pans out. The Bearcats will want to have momentum in their corner when they face rival Stony Brook on Saturday night. The Seawolves (11-15, 5-3 AE) will come to town following a big match with conference leaders Albany on Friday, and the outcome of that match could have huge implications for Saturday’s showdown. Stony Brook has won three of its last five matches, riding the hot-hand of reigning America East Rookie of the Week freshman outside hitter Taylor Wilson, who has recorded five or more digs in each of her last four matches. Similar to UMBC, however, SBU has struggled on the road, compiling a 3-6 record.
Binghamton will seek to avenge losses to both teams earlier in the season. BU fell, 3-1 to UMBC on October 11 and 3-0 against Stony Brook on October 9.
Kiriyama pointed out the struggles his team faced in the earlier contests.
“We didn’t pass too well against them and they blocked well,” he said. “We’re working on ball control… Hopefully we can keep improving.”
Lately, BU has seen consistent contributions from its young players. Among them are freshmen outside hitters Erin Shultz and Gabby Alicea, who have averaged 10.5 kills and 12.75 points combined over their last three games. In her previous match against UMBC, Alicea set a career-high with 20.5 points. As the season has progressed, both have improved tremendously, playing smarter and placing the ball in prime spots. Also integral to Binghamton’s offense has been sophomore setter Sarah Ngo, who is fourth in the conference averaging 8.77 assists per set.
The home contests will also mark the final ones for senior right side Megan Burgess. A four-year starter, Burgess has been a leader of this year’s squad and is one of the team’s go-to players on the right side. She is averaging 2.10 kills per set on the season, second on the team.
First serve against UMBC is set for 7 p.m. Friday, followed by Stony Brook at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Both contests are scheduled to be played at the West Gym in Vestal, New York.