VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton volleyball team is set to return to the court for the start of the 2025 season as the Bearcats play in four matches at the Events Center throughout the weekend.
 
Binghamton begins the year by hosting the latest edition of the Bearcat Classic from Friday through Saturday. This year's event features Fordham, Lehigh and UConn all competing against each other. Then, to close out the weekend, the Bearcats host Hofstra on Sunday at 1 p.m., as part of Camp/Club Team Day.
 
Here is the schedule of games for the Bearcat Classic:
 
Friday, Aug. 29

• 3 p.m. – Lehigh vs. UConn
• 6 p.m. – Binghamton vs. Fordham

Saturday, Aug. 30

• 10 a.m. – Fordham vs. Lehigh
• 1 p.m. – Binghamton vs. UConn
• 4 p.m. – UConn vs. Fordham
• 7 p.m. – Binghamton vs. Lehigh

 
SCOUTING FORDHAM

• Binghamton leads the all-time series 3-1
• Binghamton won last meeting 3-0 on Sept. 20, 2024 at Fordham's Rose Hill Classic
• The Rams went 7-20 in 2024, including 3-15 against Atlantic 10 opponents

 
SCOUTING UCONN

• UConn leads the all-time series 2-0
• UConn won last meeting, 3-2 on Sept. 16, 2023, at the Huskies' Dog Pound Challenge
• The Huskies went 26-8 in 2024, reaching the Great 8 Round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship

 
SCOUTING LEHIGH

• Binghamton leads the all-time series 2-1
• Binghamton won last meeting 3-2 on Nov. 13, 2024 in Bethlehem, Pa.
• The Mountain Hawks went 16-13 in 2024, making it to the semifinals of the Patriot League Championship.

 
SCOUTING HOFSTRA

• Binghamton leads the all-time series 3-2
• Binghamton won last meeting 3-1 on Sept. 11, 2024 in Hempstead, N.Y.
• The Pride went 16-13 in 2024, reaching to the semifinals of the Patriot League Championship.

 
THE BEARCAT CLASSIC
Binghamton opens its season with the Bearcat Classic for the fourth year in a row, posting a record of 6-3 in Bearcat Classic play. In 2024, the Bearcats finished the event 1-2 with a win over Merrimack and losses to Toledo and Bucknell.
 
DOUBLE THE BEARCAT FUN
Binghamton is hosting two invitationals this season in the Events Center.  Along with the Bearcat Classic, the Bearcats also host the Binghamton Invitational from Sept. 12-13. The Binghamton Invitational features the Bearcats facing Mercyhurst, Canisius and Bucknell.
 
LAST SEASON ON BEARCAT VOLLEYBALL
Binghamton finished 2024 as the America East regular season champion with an overall record of 19-11, including an 8-2 mark in conference play. It was the second time in three seasons the Bearcats clinched the regular season title. However, Binghamton was defeated by UAlbany, 3-1 in the America East Semifinals. The Bearcats went on to appear in the 2024 National Invitational Volleyball Championship for the second time in program history, falling to Bowling Green 3-1.
 
RIGHT AT HOME
Binghamton is making plenty of appearances at the Events Center this season, as the Bearcats are set to play 14 games at home. Aside from their two home tournaments and five conference opponents, the Bearcats will also welcome Hofstra, Villanova and Colgate to Vestal in 2025.
 
BINGHAMTON'S BEARCATS
Binghamton welcomes 11 newcomers and seven returners to the 2025 roster. The 2025 recruiting class includes nine freshman and two transfers. Libero Emily Cronkhite and right side hitter Viktoria Dimitrova are expected to return to their starting positions from 2024. The Bearcats gained portal pickups in setter Alexandra Koleva from Florida A&M and outside hitter Merima Smajlovic from Seattle.
 
TAKING THE NEXT STEP FORWARD
After being selected to the America East All-Rookie Team in 2024, Dimitrova was voted onto the league's preseason all-conference team on Aug. 7. Dimitrova had a strong first season in the Southern Tier, recording 225 kills and 62 blocks while playing in all of the Bearcats' 30 games. Dimitrova was also named America East Rookie of the Week twice during the 2024 season.
 
ON THE WORLD STAGE
Earlier this August, Dimitrova got the opportunity to represent her native country of Bulgaria at the FIVB Women's U21 World Championship in Surabaya, Indonesia. Dimitrova helped Bulgaria finish in fourth place while she picked up 47 digs, 40 attack points, 11 block points and two serve points in nine games.
 
O CANADA
Freshman outside hitter Selestine Liu Asoumua joins the Bearcats after representing her native province of Manitoba in the 2025 Canada Summer Games earlier in August. Liu Asomua competed in beach volleyball alongside Fiona Brown. The duo went on to finish in sixth place in the event.
 
OFF TO A STRONG START
In Head Coach Allie Yaeger's first three seasons at the helm of the Bearcats, Binghamton has won two America East regular season championships, posted 51 wins, earned two national tournament invitations (NIVC) and produced a combined conference record of 22-8. Binghamton's winning percentage of 73 percent in conference play during that span ranks as the best among all America East programs.
 
WELCOME TO THE SOUTHERN TIER
Yaeger is joined by three new assistant coaches on the bench this season. Chris Weathers reunites with Yaeger after he served as her assistant coach at Seton Hall from 2018-22. Jaidan Degear enters her first season at Binghamton after working as a student assistant coach at SUNY Cortland from 2022-24. The staff is rounded out by Volunteer Assistant Coach Andrew Kim, who completed a decorated playing career by receiving All-America honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on five occasions between his time at Vassar (2020-23) and Hobart (2024-25).
 
25 SEASONS LATER
Throughout the 2025-26 school year, the Division of Athletics at Binghamton University is celebrating its 25th season as a Division I program. Since moving up to the NCAA's top level of competition, Binghamton volleyball has have made three appearances in the NCAA tournament.