VESTAL, N.Y. – As the Binghamton volleyball team (9-12, 3-3 America East) continues to fight for a postseason berth, the Bearcats are preparing to play two matches in three days this weekend. Binghamton first hosts in-state rival UAlbany (12-9, 5-2 America East) at 7 p.m., Friday in the Events Center, before traveling to play NJIT (4-18, 0-6 America East) at 1 p.m., on Sunday.
 
With Friday's contest against UAlbany falling on Halloween, the Bearcats invite fans to watch them play in their Monster Match. Fans are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume when attending the match, as at the end of the first set, a costume contest will be held on the court. Fans are not allowed to wear any mask or bring any weapons into the Events Center. Admission is free on behalf of Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES vs. UALBANY

• UAlbany leads the all-time series 34-20.
• The Great Danes won the first match this season between the two programs 3-0 on Sept. 26 in Albany.
• UAlbany has won the last two matches against Binghamton dating back to the 2024 America East semifinals. Before that, the Bearcats won the previous five matches against the Great Danes.

 
INSIDE THE SERIES vs. NJIT

• Binghamton leads the all-time series 10-2, having won the last nine matches dating back to 2021.
• In their previous matchup earlier this season on Oct. 5, the Bearcats took down the Highlanders 3-2. Before that match, Binghamton had won the last 23 sets against NJIT.

 
PUSH FOR THE PLAYOFFS
The Bearcats enters Friday's match in fourth place in the America East standings, holding the last spot for the conference tournament. Binghamton is one game back of Bryant and UMBC, who are tied for second at 4-2 in
conference play, and 1.5 games back of first place UAlbany at 5-2. Defending America East tournament champion New Hampshire is a half-a-game back of Binghamton for the fourth and final playoff spot at 3-4.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Bearcats split their two matches on the road the prior week. Binghamton began the week by defeating New Haven in straight sets on Oct. 22 in the first-ever meeting between the two schools as Division I programs. The Bearcats then fell to UMBC in straight sets on Oct. 26.
 
THE MONSTER MATCH
Friday night is the first time Binghamton is playing on Halloween since 2021, when the Bearcats shut out NJIT 3-0 in the West Gym. This is the fourth time Binghamton has played on Halloween dating back to 2008. The Bearcats won their previous three matches, all in straight sets.
 
THAT'S SO REGAN
After becoming Binghamton's primary setter, Regan Kadel put up stellar numbers in both of the Bearcats' games last week. Against New Haven, Kadel set a new career high with 39 assists in Binghamton's victory. The sophomore followed that up with a double-double against UMBC, recording 28 assists and 10 digs.
 
DOUBLE THE TROUBLE
Merima Smajlovic has recorded 11 double-doubles so far this season, a career high for her. Smajlovic has also set a new career high for kills in a season. She enters Friday's match with 273.Going into Friday's match, Smajlovic ranks third in the America East in kills per set (3.50), fourth in points per set (3.82) and sixth in digs per set (3.04).
 
WE HAVE SOMEONE THERE
Emily Cronkhite leads the America East in digs per set against conference opponents at 4.87, putting up 112 digs throughout 23 sets played. The libero/defensive specialist was named Defensive Player of the Week by the America East on Oct. 21 after posting a team-high 25 digs and adding six assists in Binghamton's 3-2 victory over New Hampshire on Oct. 17.
 
TAKING THE NEXT STEP FORWARD
After being selected to the America East's Preseason All-Conference Team before the start of the season, Viktoria Dimitrova continues to develop into one of the top players in the league. The right side hitter ranks sixth in the America East in both kills per set (3.08) and points per set (3.52).
 
BEARCATS AT THE BLOCK PARTY
Both Sophia Holland and Francesca Pierdonati rank in the top 10 in America East for blocks per set. Holland is seventh in the league at 0.82 blocks per set, registering 40 in 49 sets played. Right behind Holland is Pierdonati, who is eighth in the conference at 0.81 blocks per set. She has recorded 47 total blocks in 58 sets played.
 
ROOKIE ON THE RISE
Maya Coblentz-Brown has emerged as one of the top rookies in the America East.The freshman has been named Rookie of the Week by the America East three times, the second-most times a player has received that honor this season. The right side hitter ranks eight in the America East in kills per set (2.65), ninth in hitting percentage (.263) and 10th in points per set (2.91).
 
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.