The Binghamton volleyball team dropped a tough road contest to UMBC Sunday afternoon in Baltimore. The Bearcats were taken down (25-19, 25-21, 25-21) to fall to 0-5 in America East play.
A bright spot for the Bearcats was
Audrey Haworth, who registered 11 kills on a strong .417 hitting percentage. She also had five digs and a block.
Francela Ulate also had nine kills and
Anna Sprys added three blocks defensively.
Kiara Adams handed out 26 assists and contributed two service aces.
The first set opened with the Retrievers taking a small lead, and finished with them keeping that advantage throughout. Binghamton closed to within two points several times, but could not get over the hump. UMBC used a critical 3-0 run to get some breathing room and took the first frame, 25-19.
The Bearcats had opportunities in the second set and remained within touch throughout. They held an early 3-1 lead, and kept it as late as 14-12, but the Retrievers went on another run to flip the momentum. A ball handling error gave the Bearcats life to tie it up at 20, but UMBC scored five of the final six points of the set to take a commanding lead.
The final set went the way of Binghamton early, with Haworth, Ulate, and
Tyra Wilson leading the charge. Following a timeout by UMBC, the Retrievers went on a 6-1 run to retake the edge. Kills by Haworth and Sprys would spearhead a run by Binghamton, but a kill by Kamani Conteh put this one way in straight sets.
The Bearcats continue play on the road against Stony Brook and Hartford next weekend.
