NEWARK, N.J. (BUBearcats.com) - The Binghamton University volleyball team (6-8) will travel south to play the New Jersey Institute of Technology Friday night and begin America East play. Match time is slated for 6 p.m inside the Wellness and Events Center.
Heading into the first conference match of the season, the Bearcats lead the America East in blocks with 118 total for an average of 2.19 per set as well as opponent blocks with 1.59 per set and 86 total. The Bearcats also sit second in service aces with 2.02 per set and 109 total. Those stats rank Binghamton top-20 in the nation in aces per set and team service aces.
As individuals, Tsvetelina Ilieva owns the top spot in the America East in kills per set, with 4.04 and 218 total, as well as total points at an average of 4.78 per set and 258 total. Misa Dlouha is second in the conference in blocks with 57 and 1.06 per set.
BU comes off a 3-0 loss to tough Patriot League contenders Colgate University Tuesday night at home. Despite the Raiders' victory, both teams remained relatively equal in the major statistical categories as Colgate led BU by just one in total points and kills while Binghamton led by one in assists and digs.
Lottie Scully highlighted action for the Bearcats, posting her third double-double of the season with 15 assists and 11 digs. Ilieva recorded double-digit kills for the eleventh time this season with 17 kills and seven digs for 18.5 points. Ella Schabort followed her teammate with nine kills while Dlouha hit at an impressive .600 clip with three kills.
Binghamton owns a 5-2 series advantage over the Highlanders. The Bearcats have won the last four matches against the upcoming America East foes, with the latter three being 3-0 sweeps.
NJIT holds the same 2023 season record as BU at 6-8 with a similar five-set win against Farleigh Dickinson and sweep of Saint Peter's. The Highlanders sit second below the Bearcats in the America East in opponent blocks with 1.74 per set and 82 total.
Next up, Binghamton will host conference opponents New Hampshire Friday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. and Bryant Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. in back-to-back matches inside the Events Center.
