VESTAL, N.Y. – For the second time this season, the Binghamton volleyball team is welcoming multiple programs to the Events Center for a tournament, as the Binghamton Invitational takes place from Friday through Saturday.
 
Binghamton (1-6) is taking part in the six-match event alongside Bucknell (1-5), Canisius (1-5) and Mercyhurst (1-6). The Bearcats will play two of the four matches held on Friday, first facing Mercyhurst at 10 a.m., and then wrapping up the day against Canisius at 7 p.m. The match against Canisius is also International Students Night, where the Bearcats will recognize members of its student body who are from outside the United States.
 
Then on Saturday, Binghamton closes out the tournament by taking on Bucknell at 1:30 p.m., as part of the ALZ together Match. Throughout the match, the Bearcats will raise awareness against Alzheimer's disease.
 
All matches include free admission on behalf of Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP.
 
Here is the schedule of matches for the Binghamton Invitational:
Friday, Sept. 12
10 a.m. - Binghamton vs. Mercyhurst
1 p.m. - Bucknell vs. Canisius
4 p.m. - Mercyhurst vs. Bucknell
7 p.m. - Binghamton vs. Canisius
 
Saturday, Sept. 13
11 a.m. - Canisius vs. Mercyhurst
1:30 p.m. - Binghamton vs. Bucknell
 
INSIDE THE SERIES vs BUCKNELL

• The all-time series is tied at one match apiece
• Bucknell won the last match 3-0 on Aug. 31, 2024 at the Bearcat Classic here in Vestal

 
INSIDE THE SERIES vs CANISIUS
            • Binghamton leads 5-4
            • Canisius won the last meeting 3-1 on Aug. 24, 2018 at the Cleveland State Invitational
 
INSIDE THE SERIES vs MERCYHURST
            • Friday's match is the first-ever meeting between the two programs
 
THE BLACK KNIGHT INVITATIONAL
At Army's Black Knight Invitational the prior weekend, Binghamton secured its first win of the season by defeating Rider 3-0 on Sept. 5. The Bearcats then fell to Hofstra on Sept. 6 and Army on Sept. 7, both by scores of 3-1.
 
THE FIRST WEEKLY AWARD GOES TO…
Maya Coblentz-Brown was named Rookie of the Week by the America East Conference Tuesday, becoming the first Bearcat this season to receive a weekly honor. The freshman made the Black Knight Invitational's All-Tournament Team after she put up 39 kills over 11 sets played, including a career-high 21 against Army on Sunday.
 
THE DYNAMIC DUO
Along with Coblentz-Brown, Merima Smajlovic was also chosen for the Black Knight Invitational's All-Tournament Team. Smajlovic posted 39 digs and 33 kills in three matches throughout the weekend. She finished the weekend tied for second in the America East Conference in kills per set at 3.48 and fourth in digs per set at 3.22.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Just like Coblentz-Brown and Smajlovic, setter Alexandra Koleva has made an immediate impact in her first season at Binghamton. She leads the Bearcats in assists with 154 in 27 sets played. At the Black Knight Invitational, the native of Bulgaria recorded 77 assists in 11 sets played. Against Hofstra on Sept. 6, Koleva tied her season high of 32 assists, which she previously set against Fordham on Aug. 29. Koleva then added another 30 assists against Army on Sunday. Koleva finished the weekend ranking fifth in the America East in assists per set at 5.70.
 
DIGS IN DOUBLE FIGURES
Emily Cronkhite has recorded at least 10 digs in six of Binghamton's first seven matches this season. Not only does she lead the Bearcats in digs per set at 3.23, but she also ranks third in the America East Conference in that category. At the Black Knight Invitational, Cronkhite posted 33 digs.
 
Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.