WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The Binghamton volleyball team (9-11, 3-2 America East) played its final non-conference match of the season, where they defeated New Haven (2-18, 1-8 NEC) in straight sets (25-22, 25-19, 25-12) at the Charger Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

Regan Kadel exploded for a new career-high of 39 assists in just three sets played. Merima Smajlovic (13), Maya Coblentz-Brown (13) and Viktoria Dimitrova (11) each tallied double-digit kills, while AE Defensive Player of the Week Emily Cronkhite recorded 15 digs in the Bearcats' victory.

"I was very pleased with our performance tonight." said head coach Allie Yaeger. "I thought our hitters did a great job of being smart and error-free. We were able to gain solid leads early and maintain them throughout the sets."

Binghamton got out to a hot start in set one, scoring the first four points of the set. Dimitrova and Coblentz-Brown led the way with six kills each. The Chargers closed the gap on Binghamton's lead halfway through the set at 17-15, but the Bearcats continued to stay in rhythm by scoring four consecutive points and ultimately taking the first set 25-22.

As a team, the Bearcats recorded a .342 hitting percentage, their second-highest mark this season (.392 against Canisius Sept. 12). The Bearcats recorded six aces to New Haven's one, with Briana Binagi leading the team with three.

New Haven kept it close for the first half of the second set, as both sides were tied at 13, but that didn't last long as Smajlovic and Kadel helped the Bearcats gain momentum with four straight points to make it 17-13. From there, Binghamton kept the gap on the Chargers to take set two 25-19.

Looking for the sweep, the Bearcats took control and dominated the third set. Closing out the set and the match with a 12-2 run.  

Binghamton will be back on the road for an AE matchup against UMBC on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.