VESTAL, N.Y. - The Binghamton volleyball team rallied to defeat Albany in a five-set battle Sunday afternoon. The Bearcats improved to 2-0 in the America East following the 26-24, 16-25, 17-25, 31-29, 16-14 victory.

"This was a really hard fought match," head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. "We're a confident bunch right now and I'm hoping we can take this momentum into our upcoming matches."

BU was led by Anna Sprys, who registered 12 kills and was a part of 12 Binghamton blocks on the afternoon. Stefana Stan led the way for Binghamton offensively, adding 15 kills. Emily Rail had a 20-dig effort. As a team, Binghamton had 18 blocks to Albany's nine.

The first set opened the match with a bang, as Binghamton and Albany went back-and-forth. The visitors used a run to take a 21-16 edge, but the Bearcats roared back to tie it up at 23. Four points later, a Tyra Wilson ace put away a 26-24 victory.

Albany responded to win the next two sets, but a marathon fourth set went the way of Binghamton to turn the tides. BU led for a majority of the frame before Albany scored seven of eight points to get to within 21-20. The set would remain tight over the next several points, and the Great Danes earned a match point at 27-26 before Binghamton rallied again. A kill by Stan and an Albany attack error vaulted the match to a fifth set.

The final set was filled with runs, and Albany earned another match point opportunity at 14-13. A timely 3-0 run for Binghamton ended the match, as Sydney Aguirre used an ace to put this one in the win column for the hosts.

The Bearcats will continue conference play at home next week, as they take on Stony Brook Friday evening. First serve is set for 7 p.m.