The Binghamton University Volleyball team dropped it's opening two matches of the season today at the West Gym in Vestal. The Bearcats were defeated by the Retrievers of UMBC 25-19, 25-14, 25-17, before falling to Albany 25-16, 26-24, 25-20, in the final match of this weekend's America East pod play.

We had a couple of tough losses today, but I saw improvement in the second match," head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. We controlled the ball better and were able to execute better on offense. We were delighted and grateful to be able to play for the first time in over a year."

In that second matchup with the Great Danes, Albany took an early lead but BU rebounded to score six unanswered points to grab an 8-4 advantage. Shortly after, Albany took 10 of 11 points to gain a 17-11 lead before capturing the first set 25-16.

In the second set, Binghamton led early, and maintained an advantage for a majority of the set. Francela Ulate dominated, notching 10 of her team-high 20 kills in the frame. Sophomore Anna Sprys also added four of her six kills in the set, but the Great Danes rallied from a 22-17 deficit to eventually win 26-24.

In the match's final set, Albany took a lead early that was chipped away at by Binghamton. The Bearcats would get as close as 15-14, but never tied or took the lead, eventually falling 25-20.

Along with Ulate's 20 kills, Kiara Adams added 28 assists and freshman Stefana Stan had six kills and 11 digs.

In the team's first matchup, UMBC opened an early lead in the first frame. A late run by BU, powered by two Francela Ulate kills, cut the deficit to 23-19 but UMBC scored the next two points to close out the set. 

In the second set, the Retrievers led 15-9, when a kill by freshman Stefana Stan and back-to-back service aces by Audrey Haworth trimmed the lead to three. UMBC teventually regained momentum to win 25-14. 

In the final set, Binghamton got as close as 13-11 behind two straight Anna Sprys kills before the Retrievers finished strong, grabbing a 25-17 decision.

For the match, Ulate and Anna Sprys led the offense with eight kills each, while Haworth added a team-high 3 service aces. Elizabeth Kaner added 11 digs.

Binghamton will continue its matchups with UMBC and Albany next weekend, this time in Baltimore (at UMBC). BU's matches will be on Sunday, March 14.