VESTAL, N.Y. - Two teams deadlocked for the final America East playoff spot meet when Binghamton volleyball (5-18, 3-7 AE) hosts Hartford (10-12, 3-7 AE) at 7 p.m. Friday at West Gym. With two matches remaining for each team, the winner of Friday's tilt will be in control of fourth place heading into Sunday's finale.

Binghamton can actually clinch the playoff berth with a three- or four-set win over the Hawks, combined with a UMBC loss to Stony Brook Friday night. Hartford, in turn, can clinch the last spot with a win in any length over the Bearcats plus an expected Stony Brook win. 

Last weekend, BU split a pair of road matches, losing 3-1 at UNH before rallying for a 3-2 win at UMass Lowell. Senior hitter Gaby Alicea ranks second in the conference in kills (3.49/set) and points (4.01/set). Sophomore Samantha Gioiosa is fifth in digs (3.75/set) and freshman setter Kiara Adams is sixth in assists (7.68/set).  

The Hawks lead the America East in attack percentage (.244) and rank third in kills (12.42/set). Junior middle Jenna Bridges leads the league in kills (4.17/set) and attack percentage (.352). Sophomore setter Megan Anderson leads the conference in assists (10.63/set). Hartford's three wins have come against Binghamton (3-1) and UMass Lowell (2x). They finish up the regular season Sunday at UMBC.

In the first match between Hartford and BU on October 14 in West Hartford, the Hawks prevailed 25-21, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23. Gaby Alicea, Lexi LaGoy and Erin Shultz each posted 12 kills and Kiara Adams tallied 27 assists for the Bearcats. Binghamton leads the all-time series 25-8 but the Hawks have won two of the last three meetings.