VESTAL, N.Y.- The Binghamton volleyball team opens its 2015 season at the Florida Atlantic Invitational on August 28-29. On Friday, the Bearcats take on Georgia Southern at 10 a.m. and Bethune-Cookman at 4:30 p.m. The next day, BU faces the host Owls at 11 a.m. and concludes action against Stetson at 3:30 p.m. All matches will be held at the FAU Arena in Boca Raton, Florida.
 
Binghamton won nine contests last year, advancing to the America East Tournament for the fifth time in the last seven seasons. Junior Allison Hovie was an All-America East First Team choice in 2014, recording 319.5 points and 32 aces. Alexis LaGoy led the league with a .294 hitting percentage on her way to being chosen America East Rookie of the Year. Junior Bailey Walker set a single-season school record with 558 digs.
 
In 2014, Georgia Southern won seven matches. The Eagles lost their top two scorers, but return their setter, Kim Minnerly, who dished out 1,137 assists. Cathrine Murray put up 296 points, posting 266 kills. GSU was selected to finish eighth in the Sun Belt preseason poll.
 
Bethune-Cookman went 10-20 last season. Delicia Pierre is back after recording 315 points in 2014. Rhea Simon contributed 301 points and Hazel Ortiz Rosado registered 888 assists. Ortiz Rosado and libero Normarie Rolon were both chosen for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference All-Preseason Team. The Wildcats were voted to place second in the MEAC Southern Division this year.
 
Florida Atlantic had an 18-12 record in 2014. Katrina Stepanovic led the team with 338.5 points, while Brittany Brown tallied 332.5 as a junior. Stepanovic was named to the Conference USA All-Preseason Team. The Owls were voted to finish in the conference this season.
 
Stetson posted a 16-13 mark in 2014. Madison Akins scored 407 points to lead the Hatters. Setter Kayla Weller returns after contributing 1,107 assists last year. Stetson was selected to finish fifth in the Atlantic Sun preseason poll. Akins was named to the conference's preseason team.
 
This weekend will mark BU's first meetings with Georgia Southern, Florida Atlantic, and Stetson. The Bearcats dropped a match to Bethune-Cookman last season.