VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton volleyball team (5-10, 0-1 America East) wraps up its three-match homestand when the Bearcats host the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (3-8, 1-0 America East) at 6 p.m., on Friday and New Jersey Institute of Technology (3-13, 0-2 America East) at 1 p.m., on Sunday in the Events Center.
 
Throughout Friday's match, Binghamton will raise awareness against breast cancer as part of its Spread Respect/Dig Pink game. Then on Sunday, Binghamton celebrates Youth Day. After that match, kids are invited to take the court and pass a volleyball around with a Binghamton player. Admission to both matches is free on behalf of Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES VS. UMBC

• UMBC leads the all-time series 27-23.
• The programs split their two matches in 2024. UMBC won the first match 3-0 in Baltimore, Md., on Oct. 4, before Binghamton returned the favor with a 3-0 victory in Vestal, N.Y., on Nov. 8.

 
INSIDE THE SERIES VS. NJIT

• Binghamton leads the all-time series 9-2.
• The Bearcats won both matches in 2024 in straight sets.

 
LOOKING FOR CONFERENCE WIN NUMBER ONE
Binghamton returns to pursuing its first America East win of the season after being defeated by Colgate 3-1 last Tuesday in a non-conference match at the Events Center. The Bearcats lost their previous league match at UAlbany 3-0 on Sept. 26.
 
DOUBLE THE TROUBLE
Merima Smajlovic enters Friday's match with a career-high nine double-doubles on the season, including one in three of her last four matches. In her last appearance against Colgate, the senior outside hitter recorded 12 kills and 17 digs, both team highs.
 
VICKY IS BACK!
Viktoria Dimitrova posted at least 11 kills for the fourth match in a row when she tied Smajlovic with 12 against Colgate last Tuesday. Since rejoining the Binghamton lineup on Sept. 12, the America East Preseason All-Conference selection has recorded at least 11 kills in six of the eight matches she has played in this season.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Alexandra Koleva remains among the top players in the America East when it comes to getting assists. The graduate setter ranks fifth in the league in assists per set at 5.85, registering 322 assists across 55 sets played. Against Colgate on Tuesday, Koleva led the Bearcats with 19 assists.
 
WE HAVE SOMEONE THERE
Emily Cronkhite ranks fourth in the America East in digs per set at 3.43, putting up 182 digs throughout 53 sets played. The libero, who put up 10 digs for the Bearcats against Colgate on Tuesday, has recorded at least 10 digs in 11 of her 15 matches played this season.
 
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.