VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton volleyball opens the season Friday at the Bearcat Classic, the first non-conference tournament hosted by BU since 2009. The Bearcats will take on Maryland Eastern Shore Friday evening before facing Boston College and Siena Saturday.

Tournament Schedule

Friday August 26
Siena vs. Boston College - 4 p.m.
Binghamton vs. Maryland Eastern Shore - 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 27
Maryland Eastern Shore vs. Siena - 11 a.m.
Binghamton vs. Boston College - 1:30 p.m.
Boston College vs. Maryland Eastern Shore - 4:30 p.m.
Binghamton vs. Siena - 7 p.m.
 

Binghamton Notes

• First-year head coach Allie Yaeger and the Bearcats enter the season with seven newcomers. Six of the seven are freshmen and junior transfer Tsvetelina Ilieva enters the mix after playing her first two seasons at Seton Hall. Ilieva had 176 kills for the Pirates in 2021.

• Junior outside hitter Stefana Stan led the team with 229 kills a season ago. She was an America East Second Team All-Conference selection and an All-Rookie Team member in 2020.

• Senior middle blocker Anna Sprys finished second in the America East with 95 blocks a season ago, including a 12-block performance in a five-set win over Albany. She will be a mainstay for BU at the net.

• The Bearcats went 7-17 in 2021, going 3-9 in conference play. They were voted fifth in the AE preseason poll.
   

Binghamton Bearcats vs. Maryland Eastern Shore
Date | Time: Friday, August 26 | 7 p.m.
Location: West Gym | Vestal, N.Y.
Watch: ESPN+
Twitter Updates: @Binghamton_VB
Live Stats: SideArm Sports
 

Scouting UMES

• The Hawks finished the 2021 season with a 12-14 record (7-7 MEAC), earning the No. 5 seed in the MEAC tournament.

• They have eight newcomers and eight players returning to the roster, including Derionah Abner, who returns as the team's leading point getter. The rising senior had 178 kills and 56 blocks in 2021.

• Head coach Trevor Callarman enters his fifth season at the helm. He has led the Hawks to 34 wins and a 21-18 record in MEAC play over his first four seasons.

• Sophomore Charlize Williams was second on the team with 71 total blocks in 2021. She had five performances with five or more blocks, including a season high seven against Morgan State.
   

Binghamton Bearcats vs. Boston College
Date | Time: Saturday, August 27 | 1:30 p.m.
Location: West Gym | Vestal, N.Y.
Watch: ESPN+
Twitter Updates: @Binghamton_VB
Live Stats: SideArm Sports
 

About Boston College

• Last season, the Eagles competed in the NIVC for the second time in three seasons, hosting and winning its first postseason matches in program history.

• Head coach Jason Kennedy is the fastest coach to 50 wins in program history.

• Sophomore middle blocker Jenna Pollock competed for Team Canada this summer at the Pan-American Cup.

• Freshman Anna Herrington is the highest-rated recruit in program history (No. 16 by Prep Volleyball). The team lost 51% of its offensive output from a year ago.

• Boston College went 17-17 last season, going 6-12 in the ACC.
   

Binghamton Bearcats vs. Siena
Date | Time: Saturday, August 27 | 7 p.m.
Location: West Gym | Vestal, N.Y.
Watch: ESPN+
Twitter Updates: @Binghamton_VB
Live Stats: SideArm Sports
 

Scouting the Saints

• The Saints are under first year head coach Simone Asque. Asque played at the University of Virginia and was an assistant at Seton Hall before coming over to Siena.

• Siena returns its top three kill leaders from last season - Emily Wunder, Olga Sawinska and Sara Wagner.

• Senior Gracie Halley had 429 digs last season. She registered a season-high 27 twice (against Manhattan and Canisius).

• The 2021 season saw the Saints finish at 5-19, including a five-set loss to Binghamton on September 15.
   

Up Next

Binghamton will head east to Central Connecticut State for a tournament next weekend. BU will take on the hosts Friday at 4 p.m. before facing Columbia and St. Peter's Saturday.