Last Friday, the Binghamton volleyball team picked up a much-needed conference victory, defeating New Hampshire for the first time since 2012. The Bearcats (9-11, 3-3 America East) handed the Wildcats (11-10, 4-2 AE) their first loss in conference play and ended UNH’s 16-game road winning streak. Coming off the impressive four-set victory, Binghamton will seek to continue its impressive form against conference-leading Albany this weekend.

BU took the match against UNH, the three-time defending AE champion in a 3-1 win that featured strong showings from freshman outside hitter Lauren Kornmann and junior setter Sarah Ngo.

“[The match against New Hampshire] gives them a lot of confidence going into the second half of the conference season,” said BU head coach Glenn Kiriyama. “New Hampshire has always been a very tough opponent, so it is good to have a nice complete match against them.”

For Kornmann, it was just another day at the office. She racked up 18 kills, three blocks and 19.5 points in the matchup against the Wildcats and was later named AE Rookie of the Week for her performance. Kornmann recorded 37 kills and 14 digs over two matches last week — a loss to Cornell and the win over UNH. The freshman phenom leads the team with 210 kills, and ranks fourth in the AE with 3.09 kills per set.

“Toward the end of certain sets, [Kornmann] is able to come through with some key hits for us and score some key points for us,” Kiriyama said. “She’s been definitely important for the success of our team.”

This Friday features another matchup with conference rival Albany (12-6, 6-0 AE). The Great Danes have amassed 10 consecutive victories, going unbeaten in the first half of AE play.

BU’s previous meeting with the Great Danes resulted in a deflating 3-1 loss to open Binghamton’s home slate back on Sept. 23. Since that matchup, the Bearcats have gone a respectable 3-2 in conference play, picking up victories against Hartford, UMass Lowell and New Hampshire.

The matchup with the Great Danes begins the latter half of the Bearcats’ conference schedule. With six games remaining before the postseason, each contest becomes increasingly pivotal to ensure playoff berth. Binghamton is currently in fourth place in the AE and hopes to improve its record with the few remaining matches.

“[The match against Albany] is definitely important,” Kiriyama said. “Every match is important, and we need to take care of business as best as we can in order to stay in the hunt to make the playoffs.”

Binghamton is scheduled to play the Great Danes on Friday. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the University Gymnasium in Albany, New York.