VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton volleyball has released its 2019 fall schedule and the Bearcats will open play on August 30. The 23-match regular season includes four tournaments and the traditional 10-match America East slate.

Binghamton opens with three matches at the Delaware Classic on Aug. 30-31, including a contest against Big 12 member West Virginia. The Bearcats then head to Seton Hall for three matches in South Orange, N.J. On Sept. 13-14, BU will return to the Army Black Knights Invitational. The following weekend, Binghamton wraps up the tournament portion of its schedule at the Georgetown Invitational. 

"I am looking forward to a highly competitive preseason slate," 21st-year head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. "We'll be playing a good mixture of squads from a variety of conferences.  We'll be tested by the strong caliber of teams at each preseason tournament, which should prepare us well for our conference matches."

After its customary tilt against in-state rival Siena, BU will embark on its 10-match conference slate to finish up the regular season. The Bearcats will be at home for the final three matches (Nov. 8 vs. UNH, Nov. 15 vs. Albany, Nov. 17 vs. UMBC) when playoff qualifying and seeding are at stake. The top four teams advance to the America East tournament, which begins with semifinals on Nov. 22.
 
"The America East is looking as strong as ever," Kiriyama added. "We are entering a new era for our team as we will be a young squad in terms of experience.  We've been in this situation before and know that it will take a maximal team effort and a sound mental approach to be successful."

Binghamton returns 10 players from its 2018 squad, but most replace its top three attackers. Four newcomers join the program in the fall.