VESTAL, N.Y. - In an exciting America East matchup, the Binghamton volleyball team defeated New Hampshire in five sets Friday night at the Events Center.
The Bearcats took the match 25-21, 13-25, 9-25, 25-21, and 17-15.
Merima Smajlovic earned her 11th double-double of the season with 16 kills and 14 digs.
"Merima was really consistent for us tonight." said Binghamton Head Coach
Allie Yaeger "With her you always know what you're going to get and that's consistency."
Alexandra Koleva picked up her eighth double-double with 25 assists and 14 digs.
Viktoria Dimitrova and
Francesca Pierdonati collected 12 and 11 kills respectively, while
Emily Cronkhite provided a team-high 25 digs.
The Bearcats seized momentum early and found themselves in a groove throughout the first set, going on a 5-1 run to lead 13-8. UNH responded immediately with a 9-4 run to take the lead at 17-16. The two sides battled back and forth, but the Bearcats closed out strong with
Hannah Olmstead,
Briana Binagi, Smajlovic and Dimitrova each getting kills to help score the last five points and win the first set.
The Wildcats answered in the second set, going on a 10-0 run at one point and claiming the frame 25-13 to square the match at one apiece.
New Hampshire carried their momentum over from the second set and took the third with a 25-9 win.
To start the fourth set, the Wildcats continued to pile up points and got out to an early 7-2 lead. Despite the strong start from UNH, the Bearcats continued to work and provide strong defensive plays that saw them cut into the Wildcats' early lead.
Binghamton gained momentum after a long rally ended with Olmstead providing a solo block at the net. Koleva followed up with a service ace to take a 19-18 lead. After a New Hampshire timeout, the Bearcats came out and closed the set out with Smajlovic hitting the final kill to send the match into the final set.
New Hampshire took an early lead to start the fifth set, but the Bearcats turned on the heat and went on a 6-2 run to move ahead 7-5 and force the Wildcats to take a timeout. With New Hampshire on the verge of getting match point, Bearcats scored four of the final five points to secure the victory at 17-15, moving them to 3-2 in America East play.
"We have to get our matches at home," said Yaeger. "They're so important if we want to make the playoffs and go to the championship.
Binghamton's next match takes place in West Haven, Conn., against New Haven in what is the Bearcats' final non-conference contest of the regular season. The game is set for Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.
