DURHAM, N.H.- Despite putting together a strong effort, Binghamton volleyball lost in a straight-set sweep at New Hampshire Friday night in the America East Championship semifinals. Gaby Alicea recorded a game-high 13 kills while Sarah Ngo racked up 30 assists and 16 digs. 

The Bearcats began the first set with an early kill by Erin Shultz to tie the set at 3-3. Although UNH took the lead, a few errors gave Binghamton the chance to tie again at 7-7. BU was not able to pick up momentum though, and fell 25-18 in the first. 

Coming out strong, back to back kills gave Binghamton an early 4-0 lead in the second. Unfortunately, UNH took advantage of a few BU errors, stringing together a five point run to make it 12-7. Gaby Alicea had a huge kill to tie the score at 18-18, and then back to back blocks by Lauren Kornmann and Kristella Morina gave BU a 21-20 lead. Another big kill by Alicea kept the match alive but New Hampshire finished out the set with a 26-24 win. 

Not giving up, BU and UNH traded points for the start of the third set. A kill by Morina and another by Kornmann gave the Bearcats an 11-8 lead. New Hampshire was able to steal it back, until Morina tied the set up 18-18. Four straight kills from the Wildcats gave them a five point edge and had them facing match point at 24-19. A Binghamton kill kept them alive but New Hampshire walked away with a 25-20 win and a straight set sweep. 

The Bearcats were led by its pair of All-Conference performers Friday night. Alicea fronted the team and the match with 13 kills. Ngo had a double-double with 30 assists and 16 digs.

Binghamton finishes its season 13-14, making its tenth postseason appearance in the last twelve years. Friday night marked the last match for seniors Kasey Muchnicki, Allison Hovie, Bailey Walker, Bianca Anderson and Kelly Leach. The Bearcats will return all other nine players. 

Albany won the other semifinal Friday, beating UMBC in a straight set sweep by scores of 25-19, 25-13 and 25-15 to advance to the finals Saturday.